Has anyone else noticed a changing of the guard as far as service in spas? Ill specifically point out the semi-legit to semi-holistic range. I dont ever seek out any other type of spa so I can't comment on the service there.
By service, I don't mean what you get as far as extras go for what amount of $. To me that is between the MP and the client. By "service" I mean the experience from when you walk in the door. Before, say 5-10 years ago, there used to be a receptionist who greeted you. For a walk in, would let you know who is available and show you kindly to your room. Then in would come the attendant, and once the door closed, full attention paid to the client. The kinks would be worked out on the table, both massage and otherwise. Money would be exchanged like this : tip to the girl, who would be grateful and who had not discussed tips before or during. It was just understood. The room fee would be paid to the receptionist. Pleasantries exchanged, maybe a bottle of water on the way out, and a spring in your step and smile on your face.
Those were the good old days.
Typically, from my own experience lately, most (not all) of my visits tend to go like this --> Open the door to an empty reception area. Some yelling in back, not in english (which is fine, the language, but to an english speaker it sounds quite aggressive and abrupt. ) Then someone comes running out, putting a mask on like they are surprised someone is there. Then comes the rush into the room. Well, as a walk in, I like to know who is available before I remove my shoes, so I can decide whether or not I am going to stay. Lately, this question seems to perplex the attendants. I understand that COVID and closures have hurt business, and maybe staff cuts as far as receptionists have occurred. But, I think it is important to have someone to greet the client, whether it is taking turns during the day or whatever. In the room, I feel like there is far more yelling between MPA,s through the doors... probably because of a lack of receptionist or maybe lack of direction or scheduling. Nobody to keep track. This really, and I mean really starts things off on the wrong foot for me. This is supposed to be a relaxing event in my day. This is why I choose legit-semilegit.... the massage matters to me. Lately it seems to be lost.
Then we come to the biggest turn off for me of all time. Talking tips. I have had it even happen at LEGIT places lately. What is going on? Are guys not tipping? Are they tipping way too much? I have always tipped very well, but within the regular scope of what is expected, so this question bothers me more than you can imagine. Again, financial hardship due to closures and shut downs are definitely a thing, I understand that completely. But, as I am sure I am not the only one who feels like this, it may be fair to say that it could actually hurt business in the long run. Asking for tips, or suggesting big tips, while still face down receiving a mediocre massage, or at any time during the experience really.... just kills it IMHO.
Now lets be real, COVID threw us all for a loop. I do feel for spa owners. I know they are doing their best to find good staff after losing some to their home countries, to fear or the virus, or just to change in lifestyles. There is definitely more turn around than ever before. New talent needs time to procure their skills and find out what the business is about. But the owner/manager/mamasan should really make a good effort to sit down and go over the do's/don'ts and expectations. They need to realize that not every guy who comes into a semi-holistic is there for a bodyslide. Some guys just want a good massage, release, and want to try somewhere different, and or someone new. Not everyone who goes in for a car wash gets a full wax and detail. Not everyone who goes out for dinner wishes to have apps, drinks and dessert.
Sometimes they want the basics, they know that going in and attempts to upsell are the equivalent to haggling for cheaper services. They are not the same thing. I do not want anything besides a HJ because in my brain, it is what I can handle as far as guilt and risk. I dont want to kiss anyone. I dont want DATY. I dont want any mouth on me anywhere. Thats why I choose legit to semi legit. Occasionally semi-holistic to see a girl who would just be easy on the eyes for a change. I don't think that I should be basically forced into paying for those things, when I dont want them, but am willing to pay going rate (more if the experience is good too) for the basics. Why are the demands for tips and expectations of higher mileage creeping down into the semi-legit range? I guess it could be a shift due to the pandemic. Or I guess it could be lack of education or instruction from the owners/managers. Or it could just be me losing touch with the industry that is changing as many things do, into a realm of more sex shop even in the legit and semi lane.
I know I will most likely get blasted by some, but I have a feeling that some may feel the same way. To an experienced hobbier of 20 years or so, most places at the moment are in a "puppy-mill:" routine, with new girls all the time, new to the business, little to no skill, revolving door, and told that extras get you $$$. Maybe I am old fashioned (though I'm not old by any means) and maybe this hobby is just not for me anymore. But out of the 5 last visits I have had in a semi-legit (1 semi-holistic) setting.... the turn-offs were always present except once. I lost my excitement each time and left feeling way more frustrated than when I entered. On the flipside, a legit place has been having me borderline exploding, without any expectation or chat about extras because they dont do it. So maybe that has to be my lane from now on, as it seems to be catering to my expectations far more.
I know it is a long read, and I dont expect people who will comment, if any, to read the whole thing... but I just had to vent a little. No I will not name any spa's or any girls. Please dont ask. Im not here to point fingers, but I do want any owner or attendant who reads this to maybe think about their setup and their approach to massage in a semi-legit setting. Lines are being blurred, and girls are getting greedy. A steady flow of people want only the basics, and will be repeat customers for years if they are respected. If not they will go somewhere else until they find what they want. I guess the same can be said for those who want more mileage, but there are far more places that offer that than the basics if feels like at the moment.
I really hope the city of Toronto can get back to an experience-based industry. It will always be a money driven industry too, but the money will always come if the experience is good as well.
Mav
By service, I don't mean what you get as far as extras go for what amount of $. To me that is between the MP and the client. By "service" I mean the experience from when you walk in the door. Before, say 5-10 years ago, there used to be a receptionist who greeted you. For a walk in, would let you know who is available and show you kindly to your room. Then in would come the attendant, and once the door closed, full attention paid to the client. The kinks would be worked out on the table, both massage and otherwise. Money would be exchanged like this : tip to the girl, who would be grateful and who had not discussed tips before or during. It was just understood. The room fee would be paid to the receptionist. Pleasantries exchanged, maybe a bottle of water on the way out, and a spring in your step and smile on your face.
Those were the good old days.
Typically, from my own experience lately, most (not all) of my visits tend to go like this --> Open the door to an empty reception area. Some yelling in back, not in english (which is fine, the language, but to an english speaker it sounds quite aggressive and abrupt. ) Then someone comes running out, putting a mask on like they are surprised someone is there. Then comes the rush into the room. Well, as a walk in, I like to know who is available before I remove my shoes, so I can decide whether or not I am going to stay. Lately, this question seems to perplex the attendants. I understand that COVID and closures have hurt business, and maybe staff cuts as far as receptionists have occurred. But, I think it is important to have someone to greet the client, whether it is taking turns during the day or whatever. In the room, I feel like there is far more yelling between MPA,s through the doors... probably because of a lack of receptionist or maybe lack of direction or scheduling. Nobody to keep track. This really, and I mean really starts things off on the wrong foot for me. This is supposed to be a relaxing event in my day. This is why I choose legit-semilegit.... the massage matters to me. Lately it seems to be lost.
Then we come to the biggest turn off for me of all time. Talking tips. I have had it even happen at LEGIT places lately. What is going on? Are guys not tipping? Are they tipping way too much? I have always tipped very well, but within the regular scope of what is expected, so this question bothers me more than you can imagine. Again, financial hardship due to closures and shut downs are definitely a thing, I understand that completely. But, as I am sure I am not the only one who feels like this, it may be fair to say that it could actually hurt business in the long run. Asking for tips, or suggesting big tips, while still face down receiving a mediocre massage, or at any time during the experience really.... just kills it IMHO.
Now lets be real, COVID threw us all for a loop. I do feel for spa owners. I know they are doing their best to find good staff after losing some to their home countries, to fear or the virus, or just to change in lifestyles. There is definitely more turn around than ever before. New talent needs time to procure their skills and find out what the business is about. But the owner/manager/mamasan should really make a good effort to sit down and go over the do's/don'ts and expectations. They need to realize that not every guy who comes into a semi-holistic is there for a bodyslide. Some guys just want a good massage, release, and want to try somewhere different, and or someone new. Not everyone who goes in for a car wash gets a full wax and detail. Not everyone who goes out for dinner wishes to have apps, drinks and dessert.
Sometimes they want the basics, they know that going in and attempts to upsell are the equivalent to haggling for cheaper services. They are not the same thing. I do not want anything besides a HJ because in my brain, it is what I can handle as far as guilt and risk. I dont want to kiss anyone. I dont want DATY. I dont want any mouth on me anywhere. Thats why I choose legit to semi legit. Occasionally semi-holistic to see a girl who would just be easy on the eyes for a change. I don't think that I should be basically forced into paying for those things, when I dont want them, but am willing to pay going rate (more if the experience is good too) for the basics. Why are the demands for tips and expectations of higher mileage creeping down into the semi-legit range? I guess it could be a shift due to the pandemic. Or I guess it could be lack of education or instruction from the owners/managers. Or it could just be me losing touch with the industry that is changing as many things do, into a realm of more sex shop even in the legit and semi lane.
I know I will most likely get blasted by some, but I have a feeling that some may feel the same way. To an experienced hobbier of 20 years or so, most places at the moment are in a "puppy-mill:" routine, with new girls all the time, new to the business, little to no skill, revolving door, and told that extras get you $$$. Maybe I am old fashioned (though I'm not old by any means) and maybe this hobby is just not for me anymore. But out of the 5 last visits I have had in a semi-legit (1 semi-holistic) setting.... the turn-offs were always present except once. I lost my excitement each time and left feeling way more frustrated than when I entered. On the flipside, a legit place has been having me borderline exploding, without any expectation or chat about extras because they dont do it. So maybe that has to be my lane from now on, as it seems to be catering to my expectations far more.
I know it is a long read, and I dont expect people who will comment, if any, to read the whole thing... but I just had to vent a little. No I will not name any spa's or any girls. Please dont ask. Im not here to point fingers, but I do want any owner or attendant who reads this to maybe think about their setup and their approach to massage in a semi-legit setting. Lines are being blurred, and girls are getting greedy. A steady flow of people want only the basics, and will be repeat customers for years if they are respected. If not they will go somewhere else until they find what they want. I guess the same can be said for those who want more mileage, but there are far more places that offer that than the basics if feels like at the moment.
I really hope the city of Toronto can get back to an experience-based industry. It will always be a money driven industry too, but the money will always come if the experience is good as well.
Mav
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