Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

[jo n jo]

So, I know we've had a few threads on this before, but for the life of me, I am having difficulty locating them. Anyone who want's to add them here as cross-links is certainly invited to do so.

I have been able to knock a few things off my to-do list over the past months and am now going through everything that has been in my reading stack for the past few years. Currently I am in 2007! Ack!

So, I ran across this Letter to the Editor... from Nov. 2007 in MassageToday magazine. Not something I normally read, but they're stacked on my floor and I really hate to throw them away before at least giving each one a chance, ya know...

My question is, does the following inspire any discussion?

Representing the Profession

Dear Editor:

I wish to extend thanks to Massage Today for their unique, imprinted T-shirt promotion at the recent American Massage Therapy Association Convention in Cincinnati and to David Kent for his entertaining showmanship during the selections of prize recipients.

While wearing my new "Have you had Your Massage Today" shirt on my travels home, more strangers (read as potential massage clients for me or another therapist) than ever before initiated massage-related conversations with me. Surprising, as I regularly wear or carry items that would readily identify me as a massage provider.

There happened to be a significant number of convention attendees traveling at the same time, as evidenced by their AMTA convention or Massage Today shirts or the imprinted convention bags they carried. Through watching my fellow massage professionals, I became acutely aware of the responsibility to our profession when presenting ourselves in public. Very few of the therapists I observed appeared pleasant, professional or approachable. What did so many of those potential clients think as they witnessed one massage therapist after another with atrocious posture, negative attitude, irritating personal habits or other unpleasant attributes?

Almost unconsciously, I began appraising my own presentation, posture, facial expression, hygiene, etc., and appraised myself as fit as a representative of the massage profession. The experience left me wishing those other individuals had also appraised themselves and then determined whether or not to continue contributing to the public awareness of massage and the perception of massage therapists.

Lynn Marie Kutz, WCMT
Medically Sound Mobile Massage LLC

 

[SkepDoc 3.0]

I know what you mean about that ever-growing to-do list!

I, personally, do agree with the author of the letter. When we are in front of *anyone*, whether we're thinking "marketing time" or not, we are representing not only our own personal business, but also the industry as a whole. I was telling my husband just the other day, now that we have magnets on the car, we *must* be careful how we drive. (Should always be courteous and safe anyway, of course!). (And yes, we allow our 18yo to drive the "company car"- he's a good driver!)

He told me a story of when he was younger, working for his Dad in the family business, he and another employee were headed somewhere in the work truck. The employee must have had a "brain fart" moment, because he did some not-so-mature act that I won't describe here. The young lady who was the target of the fellow's attention looked at the truck, read aloud the name and phone number of the Dad's business, and the employee knew he was sunk. Yep, she called to complain. Hubby's dad *could* have lost business because of it.

 

[Emily Yetman]

Regarding the highlighted statement, I suspect the individual was looking for behavior that she believed had a negative impact on her image as a therapist. If you look for it, you'll see it. I wonder how many "professional" individuals this person did NOT notice, simply because they didn't stand out as doing something offensive.

The second observation I would like to make is that pointing out all the people who are doing things "wrong" is often an ego stroke by negativity. "Look at all those losers... see what a winner I am?" I find that a bit sad. Perhaps the bigger lesson to be learned here, is the one she missed - to be proud of her accomplishments without having to point out others' supposed "failings."

 

[Physics Dummy]

I think there's something to what she said but, as with many things in life, everything in moderation. Nobody likes a Hall Monitor so only act like one if it's truly necessary.

Anybody remember that Seinfeld episode where the cook doesn't wash his hands? LOL

 

[Juan Carlos]

I completely agree with Breathe. There are so many Therapists out there now, this has become a very competitive industry. I have the uh...pleasure of working with therapists who tell clients that their co-workers are either bad therapists, annoying people, or otherwise just not as great as they are. But really, how can you project a compassionate, professional image when you are cutting others down like that?
Plus, we are all human, I don't think it's very plausible to be caring, friendly, approachable person with perfect posture, health and hygiene 100% of the time. Everyone has their off-days!

 

[BritneyHill]

I think the point is (for me at least,) that the vast majority of MTs DO conduct themselves professionally, and that since they don't stand out with bad behavior, they are easy to overlook when one starts picking out flaws.

Just something to keep in mind. We all have horror stories, that's (hopefully) what makes them memorable - because they are the exception.

 

[Los Ojos]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

Reputation is everything. I think the run of the mill spa slave drivers ruin new massage therapists. Granted there are some people who are naturally unprofessional and sour. However, when Massage Envy pays $15/hr and works you 10 hours without a break I can see how some people develop an attitude. Also, escorts disguising themselves as "bodyworkers" give us a bad reputation especially in the field of mobile massage

 

[mariykagirl]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

As employers, professionalism is the first thing we look for. If it doesn't come across in how the applicant communicates, the interview process is over. An applicant's technical skills are of no concern to us if they are unable to represent us in a professional manner.

 

[Darkness]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

In my working experience the MOST professional and well-behaved therapists we have have come from those 'run of the mill spa slave drivers' . There rules about dress code, attitude, time management and reliability/scheduling are taught and enforced. The least reliable and most unprofessional therapists we have here come from a background of self-employment, left to their own devices these therapists have established their own set of rules.

 

[lydia]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

As employers, professionalism is the first thing we look for. If it doesn't come across in how the applicant communicates, the interview process is over. An applicant's technical skills are of no concern to us if they are unable to represent us in a professional manner.

That's how I feel about it. When I was creating a resume for massage, I thought back to all my previous employment experience (that now seemed irrelevent) and realized "I've got a lot to offer besides massage." 17 years at a hospital switchboard and 3 years at a doc's office plus 3 other years working on switchboards and in offices gave me a ton of experience in customer service, working with the public, phone skills. Since I had no massage experience as a newly-graduated student, I stressed the professionalism and experience I already had.

We talked about appearance at work recently and one of them got a chuckle out of the fact that I will grocery shop or run errands with makeup (not a ton...just a pretty fresh-faced look, but I like makeup!) and always dressed nice. Not dressed 'up', just nice. I laughed and said " It's a small town. I'm an aesthetician as well as a CMT and I represent this business as well as myself. Everyone that sees me is a potential client. Who's going to come to me if I look like a scullery maid?"

 

[TaylorB]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

That reminds me of when we were remodeling the blding we are in. Major painting in every room so I wore the same clothes which were covered with various shades of paint, hair in a clip highlighted with paint, crocs decorated with droplets of paint. I had to go to Winn Dixie to buy stuff for sandwiches. Ran into a client I had seen a couple of times. Not only did she not recognize me... But she looked me up and down and asked if I would be interested in sitting with an elderly gentleman. Said he couldn't pay much but there was room and board. I just smiled and told her I'd keep that in mind if I came across someone looking for a job. lol. I wonder if she ever realized who I was? lol

 

[Simonsays]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

That reminds me of when we were remodeling the blding we are in. Major painting in every room so I wore the same clothes which were covered with various shades of paint, hair in a clip highlighted with paint, crocs decorated with droplets of paint. I had to go to Winn Dixie to buy stuff for sandwiches. Ran into a client I had seen a couple of times. Not only did she not recognize me... But she looked me up and down and asked if I would be interested in sitting with an elderly gentleman. Said he couldn't pay much but there was room and board. I just smiled and told her I'd keep that in mind if I came across someone looking for a job. lol. I wonder if she ever realized who I was? lol

That's when you'll ALWAYS run into someone you know! I can swear to it.

 

[Frank N. Stein]

Massage Therapists Attitude / Presentation

No bout adoubt it!