Massage Client Relationship 1 of 3

Sharing the following posts with the permission of the author.  It has been divided into 3 continuous posts to be published over the next week.  

I enjoyed reading it and I hope you do too.  The link to Rinalda's site is below the post. 

By Rinalda

Namaste

Last week I got a text message from an old client.  Well, a used-to-be-client.  Once or twice a year he would send a text to enquire about my welfare.  When he did so last week I responded telling him he was quite sudden.  Since we were just touching base, in about two texts each the exchange was over.  

Wednesday I hopped into Port of Spain and was walking down Queen Street when I heard my name…the birth certificate version.  I looked back and saw him.  Fancy that!  Him on Queen Street.  He said it’s in the creases and corners of these streets that the real and the genuine are found, so he ensures that he keeps in touch.  

The top-notch folks he deals with tend to be superficial.  I told him that the top is supposed to be superficial.  So there he was, strolling and sipping soup from a cup.  We walked together and stopped by Lucky Bakery as there was still much to be said and he was not ready for me to cross the road to get a taxi.  The rain came down and the conversation continued.  Eventually he asked if it was just him or am I getting wet too.  It’s just sprinkles, I told him.  And you’re good with that?  Yes I am. He laughed.

He remarked that as he was walking behind me he wondered how it is that I have managed to remain so small (not a word I would use to describe myself).  And don’t tell me about juices and liquefying food, he said.  Okay.  I still try to have some green juice daily, and I toggle with the flour, but try to keep it off my dinner menu.  Really?  

I don’t eat much starch at all, and look at me.  I do the fruits, vegetables and fish, basically, but I still seem to be putting on the weight.  You look good to me, I told him.  If I sit on you you won’t say that.  You plan to do that?  Sit on me?  There was an appropriate pause while he chose his words.  No.  I don’t want to fight with you anymore.  My goodness!  

We used to fight?  (He’s a nice guy who had a glass-case in which to place me, but I don’t do enclosures.)  You have many abilities so you fight on many levels.  What if I say that over the years the fight has been knocked out of me and I’m a total push-over now?  You?  Not you.  You know how some people change with time?  Yes.  You’re not one of them.  Is that good or bad?

He ignored the question and told me that there was something in my eye.  I asked what it was.  He looked closer and said it was a grey speck.  Then he moved himself from side to side and remarked that it was his reflection he was seeing.  

Are you telling me that you’re nothing more than a grey speck in my eyes?  Come on, you have to do better than that.  I reached into my bag to get a brochure to give to him as he has access to some information that I need and he promised to email it to me.  He said he already has my email address.  Really?  From where?  He said online.  Okay.  

Then he told me that though he has not come for a massage in years, he keeps abreast with my world from my website.  Oh really?!  Yes.  Okay. Always surprising when I learn that one of the movers and shakers of society is showing an interest in my ramblings.  I’ll definitely have to get a proofreader.

Anyway, he wanted to know if I cut my hair.  Yep.  Twice.  He did not approve.  Hmmm.  These men who are eternally single can be very amusing.  I guess that had he been doing massages consistently my desire to cut my hair would have come up in conversation and he would have protested and I might have so wanted to please my client (who could never decide whether he was a client or suitor) that I would have kept my hair to please him.  

And for all his being single, he was speaking of his ‘nephew-in-law.’   Where did he get that from, a grammar book?  Oh, okay, I understand.  It’s not his spouse’s nephew, but his sister’s husband’s nephew.  This is why I stick to massage…and some conversation.  People have complicated lives and I don’t want to get tangled.

I told him that I posted a blog earlier this year in which I mentioned him because in thinking of the subject I remembered him, but I did not imagine that he was a maco.  I pointed out that though he may recognize himself, it could have been anyone as I try to keep identities anonymous so that the lesson is shared without me having to face libel suits.  He was fine with that.  

Good.  It was time to part ways. A hug was inevitable.  He opened his arms wide and said: We both need this, come here.  So I got myself a big hug.  Yeah! What are we doing next week?  He asked.  Are we supposed to be doing something?  Maybe…  Last week was the text. 

This week, we run into each other (a highly unlikely thing). There should be something next week.  Here’s what, you think of something for us to do, then call me and let me know.  He agreed, but even as we smiled at each other we knew it does not work that way.  We may never see each other again for another few years.  We do not meet because we have fuzzy feelings.  Purpose dictates our steps.

Check back - Part 2 to be continued.

“Any wine will get you high.  Choose the purest.”

www.wix.com/rinalda/rinalda

Sex and Trinidad & Tobago Massage Therapists - Part 2

Massages with Happy Endings

Why are Trinidad and Tobago men so obsessed with sexual satisfaction when they hear the word “massage”?

This is a question we focused on in the last post on this topic.  One Massage Therapist attributed the pervasive misconception to the history of massage in Trinidad and Tobago.  Citizens of this country were introduced to massage not as a healing art but as a precursor to sex. 

In the early years the only commercially available massages were done in what was known as Massage Parlors.  Men were offered erotic or sensual massages usually performed by scantily dressed, very attractive young women.  

It was a legitimate way for both encumbered and single men to “get off” without the guilty feeling of having paid a prostitute or “make a fare” as it is said in Trinidad.

Massage therapy is relatively new in Trinidad and Tobago when compared to older cultures.  It was the emergence of a culture of sports that legitimate Massage Therapy really began getting a toe hold in Trinbago.  Most dedicated athletes appreciate the therapeutic value of a well done massage.

FREE REPORT: 

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Mainly because of sports, more local men became certified Massage Therapists with the ability to execute a professional Swedish, Deep Tissue or Acupressure massage.  This was the catalyst that transformed the perception of the industry for a significant of men in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ironically, now men are fending off women with the same misconceptions of their mail counterparts.     

Most legitimately certified massage therapists must constantly be on the alert to weed out clients seeking massages with “happy endings”. 

In the real live example in my last post, I promised to share how what was a legitimate appointment turned out.  I called to confirm and the conversation was short and disappointing.  Here’s how it went...

“Hello I’m calling to confirm your appointment for a full body massage at 8:30 AM”

“Yes, I’m getting ready to come out there right now” he said, then continued.

“I have one question to ask; do I get a release at the end of the massage?”

“Do you mean you will like to be jerked off after the massage?” knowing the answer before I asked.   

“Yes” he answered.

“No” I responded, “you are looking for a different type of massage, we don’t do those.”

“Ok” he said.  “I’ll call you back”

“Have a nice day” I said, as I hung up the phone.

Dammit admit it.   Trinidad and Tobago men and women do have misconstrued idea of Massage Therapy.  We know that now.  The more important question is not why but how. 

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How can legitimate massage therapists turn this thing around? 

Education is the obvious answer. 

But how do we re-educate a cultural belief?  How do we change men’s minds?

Marketing 

Follow this blog we share with you some of the marketing strategies and tactics you can use to educate your market.

I see it from a marketing perspective and maybe you don't. Feel free to suggest how this could be done, share it with us.  Let us know what you think.  

The Massage Therapy Niche In Trinidad & Tobago

How To Establish Your Massage Therapy Practice

This blog is a result of a decision I made a couple of months ago to target a specific niche.  I chose the Massage Therapy niche because of personal reasons which I rather not share here.   

What I would like to share is my experience so far with in the niche.  Hopefully as a therapist you will learn something from my experience. 

My research had indicated that the niche was small, maybe a bit too small but I also saw signs of growth and since I had already made the decision I decided to follow it through.   A quick search on the net came up with a school run by a therapist in Marabella. Madam Professor Emeritus Pearl Gopaul.  The website described the school as;

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 “A…private, non-profit, professional tertiary level institution, educating and training massage therapists for top level careers in these professions.

 Established in 1997 by Pearl Gopaul at her residence, #19 Cedar Drive, Marabella, the school outgrew its space after two years and now occupies 11,500sq.ft. of land at #68 Market Street, the building has an area of 5,400sq.ft”.

 After skimming the site my impression was that this it was a well established organization. 

I called the number on the site.  After explaining who I was and asking to speak to Madam Gopaul, the person who answered advised that I send M. Gopaul an email explaining myself to her.  “No problem”, I said. I left a message with my phone number and got the email address.   

Email sent; no response, no call.

Forgive them Lord… this is a common occurrence in Trinidad so I intentionally leave the barest of information when I leave a message.   

IMHO two forms of message the Madame must have gotten one.  

   

Next I did a search online and located about 3 local therapist.  The first one I contacted went by the single name Rinalda.  She operated in the Port of Spain area and according to her “not originally from Trinidad”.

  After a couple of phone calls back and forth she explained that she could not assist but she offered a few suggestions which I gladly noted.  She also asked to add my email address to her list.  She apparently had built an email list of people she contacted or massaged. 

“Of course”,  I said and have not regretted it yet.   

In fact, I liked them so much that offered to set up a blog for her ; free of charge.  She declined, she was “not that organized”  to consistently maintain a blog.  A short time later she sent me a link to a blog.  It was nicely done but I think she know herself well because don’t think she ever maintained it.   The emails started coming again without any reference to the blog. 

The next therapist I contacted was a totally different experience.  I'll share that with you in another post.  Just want to keep this short.  Feel free to make a comment or just jump off and return some other time.  

Stay blessed.