Whether you’ve a seasoned bodywork recipient or a total spa virgin, chances are you’ve had occasion to wonder about the basics in terms of general spa etiquette.
Over the years, I’ve learned that there is no right way to “spa” and the main thing is to never be afraid to ask questions like these.
What kind of treatment should I book?
Most spas will list bodywork packages within their brochure and website and then break out each of the components separately with detailed descriptions of the treatments. Choose from a diverse selection of bodywork and massage, exfoliation and wraps as well as facials, manicures and pedicures.
Select a treatment or package that bests suits your needs and comfort level, but also refer to the time commitment, location and costs carefully. Call the spa and ask them to explain each treatment if it’s unclear to you. Good spa receptionists and practitioners are highly trained and will want you to know what to expect on treatment day.
Who will be my practitioner? What are their credentials?
Again, if you’re curious or have specific requests, speak up. I have one friend who has several old sport injuries. She prefers to only receive bodywork by registered massage therapists (RMTs) who are trained to understand her specific conditions. When she books bodywork at any spa, she requests and sometimes pays extra for an RMT.
Similarly, you may prefer a male or female practitioner. If you are not asked to specify during a booking, simply say so. Otherwise, you could be caught off guard. It happened to a friend the last time we spa’d together. She was expecting a female practitioner as she’d had every other time we’d visited. But this time a male practitioner showed up instead. After doing a double take, she went along with it and had a great massage. Next time, she may even request him specifically! The important point is that you do have a choice.
Do I have to get strip down?
Recently, while on a trip to a resort spa with other journalists, a bunch of us got together after our bodywork treatments to compare notes. “You wore your knickers for the massage, didn’t you?” said the lovely writer from London, UK. “Whaaaat?!” said the gregarious writer from New York, “Absolutely not!” And I just kept my mouth shut because depending how I feel on the day of a massage, I can go either way. The truth is, there is no right answer except what makes you comfortable. Your practitioner will adjust, even if you are wearing your track suit!
What about chit chat? Tips?
Personally, I don’t like a lot of chatter during spa treatments and I’ve found that most practitioners are pretty sensitive to this. If you are a nervous chatter, they might go along with it for a while then ease out of conversation as you start to relax. Conversely, if you happen upon a super chatty or bubbly practitioner and you’re not into it, simply say, “I find it easier to unwind if I we don’t talk a lot,” and leave it at that.
Remember, your spa practitioner is trained and motivated to make you feel totally at ease, pampered and well cared for. On that note, spa practitioners really appreciate a tip if you are pleased with their services. Usually you can add a tip to your total spa bill when you settle up after your treatment. You can also request envelopes from the receptionist if you wish to leave cash. A tip between 10 to 20 per cent of treatment cost is within the average range.
