Valentine’s Day always brings back the memory of the first massage I gave while in school and in “clinic.” When I reflect on this story and I always laugh, but it wasn’t funny at the time. 
Part of the requirements to graduate from massage school is to provide massage to 50 people during “clinic”. Following the massage, they complete a questionnaire and provided feedback.
Valentine’s Day fell during my schooling and before “clinic” started for my class. However, because the Spa in the school overbooked clients, I was asked if I would start “clinic” early. Being the motivated student that I was, I said, “Absolutely!”. The very first massage I gave to someone not in my class, went something like this:
- I’m totally nervous, but eager. I set up the massage room. Sheets are clean and crisp, lotion is warm, music is perfect… I’m ready.
- The front desk clerk comes into my room to let me know the client has arrived. He says to me in a hushed voice, “lower your table”. I look at him puzzled. Again, he says quietly, “lower your table”. (In massage lingo, lower your table means to put the table on the lowest setting possible. It’s suggested because the person you are about to massage is a large person.)
- Keep in mind… I’m really nervous! However, I pull from my gut the “fake it til you make it” attitude. I lower the table.
- I walk to the front to meet my client. Our eyes meet and he is just as surprised to see me as I am to see him. He’s 6’6” tall, and weighs about 400 lbs. and I’m… well, I’m not.
- We both proceed as if all is well.
- His wife is with him and asks if she can stay in the treatment room with him because it’s a Valentine’s gift for him. Reluctantly, I say yes. Really? I haven’t practiced this!
- I go over the in-take form, give him instructions for getting on the table and leave the room.
- As I return to the room, he’s face down as requested but propped up on his elbows reading the newspaper. WHAT!?! His wife is sitting there staring at me.
- I proceed to give him the best massage I can while avoiding the newspaper. The wife is in and out of the room to take numerous phone calls.
- He dresses, thanks me, provides a great review and leaves.
A few things I learned. The man didn’t really want a massage. It was a gift and he was trying to please his wife. It was his first massage and I assume he saw the newspaper-thing on TV.
As you can tell, this memory has stayed with me all these years. I tell the story often!
My take-away: be sure the person you are gifting a massage really wants a massage. If you ever receive a massage from a student, please give constructive criticism when providing feedback. It’s REALLY helpful!