Do you talk during a massage?

Do massage therapists care? (i.e., are they bored and appreciate the conversation?) I feel compelled to talk even though I want to just lie there and be quiet.

Thu. Jun 12, 8:01pm

I never utter a peep except for the occasional "that hurts"

Thursday, June 12, 2008, 9:40 PM

i occasionally giggle if they hit a ticklish spot but i otherwise only talk the the therapist before and after. I like to completely zone out and relax. If I'm holding a conversation it's hard to do that.

Thursday, June 12, 2008, 10:46 PM

great ? I am going for my first massage and truly want peace and quiet.

Thursday, June 12, 2008, 10:52 PM

From a massage therapist: just tell us what you want...everybody relaxes differently. I've had clients say "don't let me talk to much", or "I like silence", or get very chatty and conversational. I let you guys call the shots, but be aware that some establishments actually have a "no chit-chat" policy so that (a) your conversation doesn't disturb others in the spa, or (b) you don't get too attached to your therapist and follow her when she leaves the job.

Thursday, June 12, 2008, 11:03 PM

I got chastised by a massage therapist once for being quiet! When it was all over I said, 'Thanks, that was great' and she said, 'Oh really? I couldn't tell b/c you didn't say anything.' (in a not so nice tone of voice!) yikes. Obviously didn't go to her again!

Thursday, June 12, 2008, 11:39 PM

I ask the therapist to tell me what she is doing. It's really interesting to learn about pressure points and so on -- I mean, it's not a backrub, there's a point to everything she does!

Friday, June 13, 2008, 12:28 AM

I don't like to talk during a massage - I like to zone out too

Friday, June 13, 2008, 1:14 AM

nope just sleep, the woman can be beautiful, doesnt matter im out cold,
and have to be awaken to rollover, my first time i was afraid of
the "accidental hard on" never happen, about 5 mins in with the soothing music im out

Friday, June 13, 2008, 6:43 AM

Yeah I hate chatty therapists. I mean there should be a no chit chat policy. I once had one who went on and on about her love life. I tried to get my point across that I did not want to chat by not really reciprocating the conversation but she did not get the hint.

Friday, June 13, 2008, 11:50 AM

this is funny since my friend and i were JUST talking about this last night.
Usually I hate talking during hair cuts and massages...but I do see one massage therapist that is easy to talk to and i end up chatting most of the time.
I work for a massage therapist and asked him. He said usually there is casual conversation in the beginning and then it drifts into quiet.

Friday, June 13, 2008, 12:50 PM

a good massage therapist will follow your lead! It's your time & your dime!

unless of course there is a policy like the one mentioned above :)

Friday, June 13, 2008, 1:50 PM

12:50 - I don't like talking during haircuts, either! Sometimes I feel flawed as a woman - it seems women always love chatting and gossiping with their hair dressers.

Friday, June 13, 2008, 4:36 PM

I don't like talking during haircuts either. I do make some conversation here and there but basically I close my eyes during the haircut and say "this feels like heaven.." & "I appreciate your attention to detail".

Saturday, June 14, 2008, 7:19 PM

I had a wonderful massage therapist who would sit and talk for 5 to 10 minutes before the massage started. That cleared the air. Sometimes we would talk a little during the massage but the start-up conversation took care of most of the need to yap.

I don't like to talk with haircuts either. Actually this is more about not having solid ground for conversation....limited shared context....except hair. Ususally I end up having a lengthy conversation about the weather or vacation plans. It feels forced and contrived.

Monday, June 16, 2008, 1:54 PM

I don't talk much at the beautician either, and definitely not during a massage. I just tell the therapist that I will tell them harder or softer, and that I prefer not to talk during a massage, and I ask if they're okay with that. I've never had a bad experience. They are there to relax you, so if by not talking, you relax, they shouldn't have a problem if you explain it first. Enjoy!

Monday, June 16, 2008, 10:25 PM

Head massage

Head massage http://traditional-medicine-traditional.blogspot.com/

Link

Friday, August 15, 2008, 2:15 AM

11:50: hints are for girlfriends. Massage therapists are paid service providers, and relaxation is part of the service they are providing. It's okay to say pleasantly, "Its easier for me to relax if we don't talk. Thanks!"

Friday, August 15, 2008, 10:52 AM

I have known my massage therapist for years and we know lots of the same people. We chat off and on but I'm definitely very relaxed, almost asleep by the end.

Friday, August 15, 2008, 8:44 PM

chit chat massage

As a professional massage therapist we received training in client communication and boundaries with clients. As a matter of principal I assume role of making each session about the client. I talk only as much as is specific to the work we are doing on the table. There are three reasons why having idle chat with clients can be detrimental: One - the state of relaxation is much higher without the mind trying to respond to talking; Two- the client may reveal something about themselves during a session that they might regret later; Three - massage therapists are not trained or qualified to perform talk/psychotherapy with people to do so could do more harm than good. I take responsibility for redirecting talking during a session asking for the client to pay attention to their breathing or relaxing their mind as well. Recently I had a client who would consistently cross this boundary and ask very personal probing question about me and that to me is a sign that I cannot help that person and I had to refer them to a talk therapist, so that our massage sessions could be more productive.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 2:15 PM

All this talk about massages...I think I may have to make an appointment now!

Thursday, March 4, 2010, 8:43 PM

message session in 3 hours

Going to get a message in a few hours. Any other etiquette I should know before I go? Thought I knew the basics (chat for a while, tip, etc.) But now I'm not so sure. How much do you tip anyway?

Monday, July 12, 2010, 12:29 PM

Aside from showing up clean and letting them know if something doesn't feel good, I'm not sure what else there is! I usually tip 20%.

Enjoy that massage!

Monday, July 12, 2010, 12:31 PM

Awesome

You sound like a great massage therapist!

Monday, March 18, 2013, 4:12 PM

Wow

I would not have gone back either!! Sounds insecure!

Monday, March 18, 2013, 4:13 PM

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