Spa Gone Wrong - How would you have reacted?
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This letter appeared in the Forums Page of a major newspaper, The Straits Time, in Singapore on 27 December 2007. If you are female, would you have reacted the same way the letter-writer did or would the incident be acceptable to you? Do give your comments and feedback so that we know how females in different countries and cultures would have reacted to the same incident.
“Are You Comfortable With A Male Masseur?”
HAVING heard that Spa Botanica was a three-time winner of the Best Spa Experience award by the Singapore Tourism Board and reviews that they had one of the best service-orientated staff, I booked a one-and-a-half-hour spa session worth $217 on my birthday with a friend.
Imagine the shock I received when a male masseur entered the room. I quickly asked for a change of masseur and after a 15-minute wait, the manager informed me that there was no available female masseur. I had to wait for about one-and-a-half hours if I insisted on a female therapist.
She admitted that it was the spa’s fault for not asking the gender preference of my masseur earlier on, and assured me that the male masseur assigned was very professional.
Frustrated, I was left with no choice as I planned to end my massage at the same time with my friend. Although the male masseur was indeed professional, I left the spa with a bitter-sweet feeling. It was a special occasion for me and, having paid so much, I did not expect anything to go wrong.
So what exactly differentiates a top-class spa from the average spa if not for its quality of service? Despite boasting a superior service standard we have in Singapore, it is these little details that all services should be more attentive to in order to live up to our reputation.
Choo Yirong (Ms) (The letter writer)
Credit: Mon, Dec 24, 2007, The Straits Times
Tags:General Spiritual Spa and massage health articles
I think it may be an over reaction and is symptomatic of the underlying mentality that a massage between opposite sexes (therapist and client) is “wrong”
Having said that they should have asked the preference of the client before hand
Anthony
I do not agree it is an over reaction from the client’s point of view.
Being a female client, of course I would want a female therapist. It is the fault of the spa that did not inform the client.
Hello,
I have two thoughts. The first is strictly customer service related and I do believe that the spa was remiss in not asking the question of gender preferenc. If they’re renowned they must get clients beyond just locals and so should know that cultural orientation matters.
Which is my second point. As a female who’s been getting massages for years I want the best and if that’s a man so be it. I frankly never think twice when a male therapist enters the room. But I’m American. However, when I was in Asia recently, and for the first time, I was really shocked to see that spas will put two clients in the same room. I can’t tell you how shocked I was. It sort of ruined the experience for me because I felt way too exposed and found it difficult to relax.