Soho Relax — Local services in Hong Kong

No doubt this place can help me to get relaxed by their skillful therapist. Yet, I have the horrible experience in paying at the end. Basically, I was asked to tip.

Conversation roughly goes like this - Receptionist (Sally): So today is a total 448 ME: I will pay with card, please! Receptionist (Sally): So would you like to include the tip in your payment or separate to pay the tip in cash? ME: I can include in the card payment, let’s make it 20 Receptionist (Sally): mininum 10% ME: I was like, ughmmmmm Receptionist (Sally): How about making it to total at HKD 500? ME: ughm okay….

and I just paid 500 in total, and she was looking back to the therapist letting her know that I paid the tip with card.

I'm not sure about their arrangement with the therapist, but it was simply a disgusting experience for me. Having lived in Hong Kong for more than 10 years and I have never asked to mandatory tip for service. Most of the time, I was asked if I would like to add the tip or if there would be a box to tip, etc.

You may be surprised by the low price point of this place, but please bear in mind that you are expected to top at min 10% on top of your service.

Seriously, this is not cool! And I would strongly suggest the shop owner include this ask in their menu so everyone decide to visit this place = accept this arrangement prior to their visit.

Or, they can adjust their menu to the market range to avoid this ugly...

COUPLE KEY DISCLAIMERS before you visit: 10% tip is mandatory, one way or another they will try to get that from you they think it's totally okay for therapist to use their phone during the massage session

I came on two occasions recently tonight and yesterday. Prior to this, Soho Relax has always given me a good impression - good therapists & calm location, which made me come back.

Yesterday: foot massage. Therapist was good, but he started to nod off about halfway through my 60 min massage. I took pity on him and didn't say anything, only to move my foot in increasing frequency to wake him up.

Tonight: body massage Therapist was ok, some techniques were a bit off, but she was open to changing it when asked. There was 3 times where she was using her phone during the 90 min session - that I could sense anyway. I called her out on the last time, near the end of our session. WHEN PAYING- the conversation pretty much went like the review of Janice from 1 month ago. They deliberately set their pricing so they can round up easier for a tip. It's an agenda they seem to be good at. I complained about the massaur using her phone, and she said in a defensive tone that she needs to pick up clients. So I asked you think it's appropriate to use the phone during session, shouldn't you be arranging for her? She just said it's only a quick reply.

Definitely did not appreciate her attitude nor...

I was being drawn in by their low prices advertised on a poster at the door. Upon entering, I inquired about the rates, but there was no mention of tips at that time. After my session, when I opted to pay by card, the cashier asked if I would pay the tip in cash. I handed her a $20 note, and I was told that the minimum tip was 10%. Since I had two masseuses, I needed to pay a tip for each.

This felt quite unfair, as tipping is typically an expression of appreciation, and I should have the freedom to decide the amount. If a 10% tip is compulsory, it would have been better to disclose this upfront.

While the foot massage was decent, the body massage left me feeling a little uncomfortable in certain areas. When I mentioned it, the response was, “Oh, I am very gentle already,” which didn’t help my experience.

Just to avoid a scene, I felt pressured to pay a tip I didn't want to. I wish I had gone to the other massage shop just a couple of minutes away where I usually go and where it's cheaper and tips aren’t compulsory. I prefer to pay more when I feel satisfied and nothing when the service doesn't meet...