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Massaging men

I have been a massage therapist for almost 8 years now and I used to have a handful of male clients. Recently there were 2 massage parlors in my city that were shut down for offering illicit services and unfortunately people have been joking about. I've received a few phone calls from men asking for massage but I just don't feel comfortable. I used to work at a hotel early in my career and I had a few situations that have just made me uncomfortable massaging men. I always present myself very professionally and I still have the occasional creep. Ii've even had male clients who didn't start off being inappropriate who later made inappropriate remarks, maybe they thought they could joke like that since they had been long term clients, I don't know, but either way I really don't want to deal with that anymore. How can I politely tell men I don't accept male clients and still be professional?

Tags: Male, clients, male, massage, massaging

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on March 8, 2012 at 3:03pm

I would just tell them the truth...That you are very sorry, but you have had several bad experiences working on males, and will no longer accept male clients.. Perhaps refer them to another therapist that will.

Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on March 11, 2012 at 8:25am

Felicia,

I'm sorry this has become a problem for you. If you find your male clients making inappropriate remarks, you will  need to set a boundary and tell them it is not OK. As far as requests from men, just tell them your schedule is full-don't go into a story about it.

Many female MTs tell me that men can be creepy. Being a guy, I can only imagine.

Cheers,

jh

Permalink Reply by Felicia on April 10, 2012 at 5:57pm

Thank you both for your replies. One more question, how would I word my marketing? Or handle a situation with donating gift certificates? Any ideas? Thanks again.

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on April 10, 2012 at 8:55pm

I dont know?  I do know that all males are not sleazy or inappropriate...Perhaps just work on husbands of friends and clients you know?referrals only.  As a male massage therapist I get rejected by both males and females often..Our profession is like that...I guess just advertize women's massage specialist? or something like that...study and get into pregnancy massage and so on...

Felicia said:

Thank you both for your replies. One more question, how would I word my marketing? Or handle a situation with donating gift certificates? Any ideas? Thanks again.

Permalink Reply by Barbara Helynn Heard on April 10, 2012 at 9:58pm

aloha Felicia,

 

here are a few links that show how others advertise their women only businesses:

 

website for a women's only dayspa is Seattle

http://www.olympusspa.net/ 

 

ads for women only massag therapists:

http://www.houstonsuperads.com/massage_Classifieds/C335A662638P1/Ma...

http://www.superpages.com/bp/Richmond-KY/Massage-by-Keta-For-Women-...

http://www.wellness.com/dir/1209298/massage-therapist/ny/bethpage/f...  (this therapist seems to have named her business "for women only"  - that's an interesting idea!)

 

a discussion on women's only massage

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080426232020AAU6F7j

 

Aloha,

Barbara Helynn Heard

teacher of Mana Lomi classes in WA state and the northeast

www.lomilomi-massage.org

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on April 10, 2012 at 11:30pm

Wow !  This is why I like the internet...Gosh, there is all the information you need...

Barbara Helynn Heard said:

aloha Felicia,

 

here are a few links that show how others advertise their women only businesses:

 

website for a women's only dayspa is Seattle

http://www.olympusspa.net/ 

 

ads for women only massag therapists:

http://www.houstonsuperads.com/massage_Classifieds/C335A662638P1/Ma...

http://www.superpages.com/bp/Richmond-KY/Massage-by-Keta-For-Women-...

http://www.wellness.com/dir/1209298/massage-therapist/ny/bethpage/f...  (this therapist seems to have named her business "for women only"  - that's an interesting idea!)

 

a discussion on women's only massage

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080426232020AAU6F7j

 

Aloha,

Barbara Helynn Heard

teacher of Mana Lomi classes in WA state and the northeast

www.lomilomi-massage.org

Permalink Reply by Tonya Brooks-Taylor on April 10, 2012 at 11:43pm

Wow, thanks for starting this topic Felicia, and thanks to all who responded - useful information. I've been considering doing the same thing. Will definitely look at Barbara's links for information and tips in case I do decide to switch to a women's only spa.

Permalink Reply by Kathy Mackay on April 11, 2012 at 8:23am

An indirect way to affect this would be through choosing a very distinctively feminine business branding in all of your marketing and advertising that will help get the message across to the majority.  

Permalink Reply by Felicia on April 11, 2012 at 9:21am

Thank you all so much for your input and support. I'm glad I started this topic here and not anywhere else because we all know the struggles with our profession. I wish you all blessings for your practices as well.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on April 11, 2012 at 9:40am

Perhaps it would be helpful to network with someone who works on men. Refer the male requests to her and maybe even arrange a finders fee.

Don't worry about refusing. If you are not comfortable working on anyone it will show in the massage. Be up front and it will be appreciated. 

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