Annoyed and want a quick rant

[yrbnybds]

Hi everyone,

I'll apologise in advance as this is just a quick rant because I've had enough of dodgy clients the last 2 weeks. I don't know if I'm being niave or if I just expect everyone to be honest but I'm fed up of male (sorry guys) spinning me a story, half the time which I believe, half luckily I don't, to try and get a quick thrill. I've had one guy who I've actually seen a few times so didn't suspect anything, who was telling me the pain in his lower back had now travelled down through his glutes and around his adductors up towards the groin. He wanted me to focus on these areas to help with pain. I noticed about half way through his massage he was actually enjoying it a bit too much- and I thought he was actually serious. He confirmed my suspicions by asking me to massage his stomach at the end- what's that got to do with sciatic pain? Another guy today told me he fell off his bike and fell on his groin around his privates and would I massage there as I do sports injuries and it was a sports injury. I know he was lying. And that's just two. At this rate I'm going to distrust every male and make them wear flaming pyjamas or something! Arggh. I am going to turn into a cynical therapist from now on.

Just wanted a rant.

xxx

 

[thedeadmanuu]

How vile....poor you, no wonder you wanted to rant

xxxx

 

[?shelter puppies rule?]

I see from your website that you work from home - if there are people in the building, why not book the chaps in for sessions at the holistic centre on a Friday afternoon? Did you book them in for urgent appointments? I generally tell male callers who I do not know, that I can see them at such and such a time on so and so day - usually 7 - 10 days later - that way I sound busy (which I am in any case) and if they say they can't wait, then someone else can deal with their 'frustrations'!

You could always introduce these blokes to your greyhounds!!!!

 

[Euroccuff]

Uhh--I'm speechless, but unfortunately not surprised. Could you link up with a trusted male masseur (maybe we need a buddy system for female masseurs) and refer any clients you have suspicions about to them? If the client is genuine they will take the referral, if not they will disappear. Obviously take a percentage of any successful referrals you make so you do not totally lose out financially.

Sorry to hear you've had problems--I despair.

 

[italiangirl13111]

hi there,
unfortunately its the nature of the business. I work in a multi-disciplinary clinic, and we have the same problems....we even have people coming in asking the receptionist to massage them....when I hear/see them, my response is usually very short and to the point, and usually in two words!!

The problem as I see it (apart from the fact that the guys are sleazy), there are too many dodgy massage therapists and 'massage parlours' around, which means that the dodgy clients doesnt always know the difference.

This is one of the reasons why I am hugely in favour of the regulatory body, because, hopefully, all genuine therapists will eventually be registered, and people will be able to tell the difference.

You only need to look on gumtree, to see all the dodgy therapists, and we always report the ones that we know are dodgy, but they come back day after day.

On the matter of 'massage parlours', this is something that I have raised with the massage governing body, to see if we can do something about it. Its not fair that they operate under the name massage parlours, it really does do the profession a huge injustice!

I agree with Jabba, you could maybe book male clients in when there are others in the building, and I have to say, I have changed my view on females visiting males to do massage, I think its too risky these days, and we certainly dont allow our female therapists to do this, but from having a sign up stating that any untoward behaviour will result in you chopping off certain bits of their anatomy, there is no cut and dried solution unfortunately.

I wouldnt let this put you off though, there are some decent male clients out there.

All the best

Richard

 

[TomIsMe]

Carlayoda - sorry to hear this and I completely understand where you are coming from.

Unfortunately I've had so many dodgy phone calls about what I offer that I now treat women only. I did have a page of men's treatments on my website but I have recently taken them off.

It's such a shame because there are genuine male clients out there, but the dodgy ones are ruining it for the rest of them!

I personally am just not risking anything now

I hope your rant has made you feel a bit better and I hope you can find some sort or solution. There are some good suggestions here.

Best wishes,

Raya

 

[rawr]

Sorry to hear about your dodgy client. Although there are muscles in the stomach that can cause referral back pain, your guy sounds like he was trying his luck.

Hopefully this is just a blip and the rest of your male clients will be genuine.

 

[Cam156 nice guy]

Hi Essence,
there is a trigger point in rectus abdominus, just above the pubic bone which can cause referral back pain, pressed very hard, this causes a huge amount of discomfort, and guaranteed to dampen anyones ardour!

 

[Young Old Soul]

and a brick surruptitiously wrapped up in a towel placed just so, on said member,,, with just a little elbow pressure might also do the trick

 

[Matthew R]

Unfortunately, I doubt if regulation will ever end this. I stopped advertising on sites like Gumtree years ago and am only listed on legit websites, but it doesn't stop the odd calls.

My daughters were in stitches the other day when I took a call as we were all sitting round the dinner table and I had to tell someone that, no, I didn't do hand relief. My wife sounded interested though - she suggested that if the money was any good, maybe she could take care of that side of it after I did the massage!

 

[Edmund Pevensie]

I've spoken to many female massage therapists about the same problem, one that nearly all of us have had to deal with at some point in our careers. There's no simple answer to it, some get really fed up and don't advertise in places like Yellow Pages because of the frequent calls from male clients not wanting a genuine massage.

I always in the past ensured there is someone on the premises when I see a male client and I have to say that I now only see male clients who are referrals. When I worked in a clinic I would see male clients and fortunately only one was problematic, because there were a lot of people around and the premises had a professional image.

I think it needs to be stressed that the treatment you are giving is a therapeutic massage and you may need to spend more time vetting them initially about the treatment and yes, make them wait for an appointment.

Binah
x

 

[AliL]

i spoke to my colleague about this post this evening and he reminded me about a female client we had....a GP of all people, who became obsessed with one of our male therapists, to the point where she bombarded the practice mobile (she thought it was his personal one) with very intimate photos...

I think we all need to be aware that not every client is going to be genuine, and we all need to have an action plan in operation to deal with those dodgy clients that slip through the net and actually get on our couches.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Just as an addon here..it's not just male clients..

my tutor a few years ago told us the tale when she was in practice that she had a problem with a female client who..all I will say is, that the paper couch roll was not left damp with excess aromatherapy oils....

 

[Griedgike]

I think this sort of thing happens everywhwere, unfortunately! I'm from a part of Canada where we're regulated and are called registered massage therapists, and we still get some dodgy clients. I've made it a personal choice that I don't treat any walk-in male clients, and if an unknown male calls I'll book him in when I'm not alone, usually offering tomorrow or the day after. On the flip side, I've had a few men that I was a little suspicious about, but have actually turned out to be good clients who needed a legit treatment.

 

[dave d]

Thanks for the support everyone. It is frustrating and I know I'm not the only one. I do have genuine male clients as well so it is unfair to assume all men are the same But I do like Jabba's idea of introducing them to my greyhounds- especially as I know that the man whose glutes I was massaging is petrified of dogs hee hee hee ( or is that too evil?)