All of your Massage Etiquette Questions Answered

When I tell people outside of a professional setting that I am a massage therapist I inevitably get asked a few questions about getting a massage that most people are too embarrassed or uncomfortable to ask their actual massage therapist. So today I thought I’d address some of the most popular questions I get asked.
Do massage therapist think (fat/skinny/hairy/freckled/old/young/etc) people are gross to work on?
No. Truly from the bottom of my heart, no. It’s important to keep in mind that massage therapist chose this profession. So before we even learned the first thing about muscular antagonist or effleurage strokes we had to ask our selves if we would be comfortable touching all body types. Its safe to assume we decided yes.
More importantly, however, is that pretty quickly a body just becomes a body. When someone is lying face down on the table we’re thinking about attachment points and fascia, not about hair or freckles.
Should I keep my underwear on or take it off?

Unless your massage therapist specifically instructs you one way or another, this is a matter of preference. Your massage therapist should follow standard draping practices that allow the appropriate parts of your body exposed and always keeping your more intimate areas covered. 
I will add one caveat to this - any clothing that you do keep on is a signal to us to not touch that skin. If you wear boxers and want your hamstrings properly attended to, either hike them way up or wear something else. 
Am I supposed to talk to my massage therapist during my massage?

If you want, but don’t feel obligated. This is your time that you are paying for and you are in control of this aspect. I have some clients that have been seeing me for years and have never spoken a word while on the table and other clients with whom talking for the entirety of the service is part of their stress relief. In this regard there is no right or wrong way to do it, but that also means your massage therapist doesn’t have a standard for what is most relaxing for you. It is completely appropriate to let your therapist know what you’re looking for - it’s not rude to start the service by saying “I’d like to be quiet today” or even if you have been chatting to decide at a certain point in the service that you want to zone out.
Does it bother you when a woman doesn’t shave her legs?

No. It bothers me when she apologizes for not doing it. No man has ever apologized to me for not shaving his legs. (Nor should he)
Should I get a fresh pedicure before I come in?​

See above.

Got more questions? Comment below!

---