Shocked to be called Spa Virgin!
Hmmm…. So wondering who are spa virgins and what happens to spa virgins when they visit spas? Do they put them on a massage bed, are they pushed into a sauna or are they asked to undress naked or do they start with your fantasies of sexual pleasures!
Oh! Please! Do not visit a spa and ask them for a happy ending massage or a sexual massage. The spa professionals are all certified spa specialists and you must treat them with respect, after all, you visit spas to relax and not get arrested for sexual misconduct.
And for your knowledge, the moment you ask them of any sexual favours, immediately you are flagged as a ‘Pervert’ and reported to the management, the department and the security with your details on record to share with the local authority. Better to keep your good manners and know how to spa correctly, rather than being flagged as a ‘Pervert’ and get arrested.
That is why Spa with Rutu is here to unplug all the spa information and guide you on how to enjoy the spa experiences and optimize maximum benefit to you and become a spa pro.
What does one mean by Spa Virgin?
A Spa Virgin is the one who has not been initiated truly into the world of spas and it has nothing to with your gender. It could be anyone, a male, female or anybody else.
Once you have experienced the exotic indulgences of the actual spa world there is never going back to being a spa virgin, as you will want to experience again and more! And that is how you graduate to the next level of being a spa pro.
To initiate yourself onto a spa journey you may have to visit a spa or call or mail them to book an appointment for the chosen service. I recommend, if possible always, visit the spa and ask for the spa facility tour, to get the feel and acquaint yourself with what that spa has to offer.
And isn’t that your right to know what are you investing your penny-money into? You want to walk out of that place with a relaxed state of body and mind, confident, as you own the world and happy that you spent your money for an excellent spa experience.
Let us say that as a Spa Virgin you have booked for the chosen service at the spa and you have already reached the place say five minutes before your appointment.
And they usher you into a treatment room and after the treatment; you pay for the service and leave.
Now, this is not a true spa experience, it is just one service you paid for, took that, and left from there with no emotional gratification, or the sense of belonging to the place or the spa people or to the spa experience that could make you a spa devotee.
You may not know what facilities they have and miss on receiving the maximum benefit for you as you did not know what to expect or what questions to ask or because the spa you called was not proactive enough to pre-inform you what to expect on your arrival or invite you to arrive 30 or 45 minutes before your treatment for pre-treatment experience.
To graduate from being a Spa Virgin to becoming a Spa Pro and be a Spa Fan, then let us help you understand how to Spa.
Before we cross the threshold of spa virginity to becoming a Spa Pro, we require building that thought process of researching, exploring spas, what they offer, and what to expect from them.
So let us breakdownhow to Spa right, in a few simple steps and take the first step to shed that sheath of spa virginity.
- Research: So you can start with where you reside and what are the spa types available in your area of residence.
- Read: What are the benefits of spa experiences, what are the reviews about that spa by other users, visit their website to explore the menu and what suits your need.
- Invest in “Me Time”: “How much money do I wish to invest to break my spa virgin bubble and gain an increased benefit in multiples?”
- Explore: You may start with spa experiences offered in your neighbourhood, step out and break the first barrier of hesitation and free your inner-self of that reluctance to explore the spas physically.
- Visit: Visit the spa, relax, breathe-in and breathe-out and walk confidently and feel free to smile or say hello to the spa team.
Arrival: Now, if this is your first contact point, then you must open up your mind and tune into your surroundings including people, ambience, music, lights, and the overall feel.
As soon as you arrive at the spa front desk, start noticing if anyone has approached you with a smile, how are you welcomed, spoken to, guided around, are you offered a tour and any welcome drink, has the person asked about your spa goal, informed you of the services available, and were you seated in a private lounge to explain you the spa concept and menu.
Speak to the spa front desk team if you have specific questions related to treatments, or therapist preference, or any conditions that prevent you from experiencing any spa treatment.
Please note, it is alright to request for a preferred therapist irrespective of their gender, provided you do not request for sexual favours. Ensure that you respect the Spa policies and the local, state and national legal and government laws.
Before you book your treatment, clarify any doubts you may have, to ensure you have a smooth and flawless spa experience.
All this will give you the first and lasting impression of the spa and the team, which will help you make your decision whether you want to stay or run away from the spa.
And that is why this is a research and exploration phase, which will give you a better understanding, and you shall progress to become a Spa Pro and not be a Spa Virgin any more.
Let us look at the next phase where the focus on “Me Time” begins. So after arrival and facility tour, begins the actual action. It will start with a consultation, getting to know you, and they escort you to different relaxation locations.
Consultation
The consultation approach may differ from every spa, but do not worry, the style is more or less the same and do make a note that a thorough consultation process is a must. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire before your treatment (for example a facial service) to help make notes of your skin goals, diet, or if you are under medical advice and following a prescribed medicine, or in case of a woman if she is pregnant or nursing a child and some lifestyle questions.
Once the questionnaire is furnished with details, the guest host/hostess will review the questionnaire and may advise you with recommendation suitable that complements your skin or health goal. They may refuse some treatments which maybe in your best interest. Please do not be alarmed. You can always request them to explain why a particular treatment is not advisable for you.
Considering pandemic COVID-19, you may find a set of additional questions included in the consultation form. These questions request information of your current travel history, if any recent contact with COVID-19 infected person, may ask of any COVID-19 symptoms that you may have experienced in last 14 days and will note your current body temperature.
Please note all these questions are asked and confirmed for the wellbeing and safety of yourself, other guests andthe team.
If the spas are taking this precaution sincerely, it says a lot about how well they care for your safety and wellbeing too.
There is always a disclaimer included in the consultation form the guest must sign that, who undertakes the responsibility to provide the correct information in the questionnaire and is responsible for their decision to avail services of the chosen spa. This is a pre-requisite to avail a spa treatment.
Spa Wet Area
Hydro Amenity Relaxation
This area is popularly called as spa wet area where all the hydro amenities are set like steam, sauna, plunge pools, snow room, and if it has a big layout, some resort spa wet areas may offer additional services, of turkish hammam, rhassoul, mud bath or effusion showers or body exfoliations and wraps.
But, before a massage you maybe advised to go for steam-use to relax and soften the tensed muscles.
The guest host/hostess will escort you to your treatment room and introduce you to an assigned spa professional.
Treatment Room
Indoor
Outdoor
Treatment Room Familiarization:
A therapist or an esthetician will introduce you to your treatment room and familiarize you with your in-room shower, toilet and change facilities, treatment table and all the amenities placed in the room for your use and comfort.
Welcome Touch: Some spas may offer a foot wash or head and shoulder relaxation or some may offer foot massage or different herbal inhalations to relax and calm you.
They design this ritual to initiate you into asensory journey of relaxation before the actual treatment begins and may last for five to seven minutes.
Dress or Undress:
Any Spa Virgin of any gender maybe a little reluctant to undress and lay down in front of a stranger, whether half naked or full naked is way too much duress. Relax! If at all you are uncomfortable about anything during your treatment process, speak to your assigned professional.
For example,if you have booked a facial, they will uncover you from face to your upper chest.
But, for a massage and wet treatments, they provide you with disposable underwear.
Some spas have a strict no-naked policy and some spas may allow you to be completely undressed and cover you professionally during the treatment, uncovering only the area to be worked upon. The spa professional will ensure your comfort level before and during the treatment.
The Treatment:
Once you have changed, the spa professional assigned to you will enter the room with your permission and check whether you are comfortable and will start the service flow of the chosen treatment, continuing to check in between whether the pressure application and tissue manipulation is to your comfort level.
At all times the spa professional will maintain a respectful distance, stay focused on you to best assist your treatment goal, keep you covered, and only uncover the areas to work upon.
Please do not expect any sexual favours or grope a therapist thinking once you are in the treatment room you will get away with that, they may report you as a ‘Pervert’.
After completing the treatment the spa professional will gently inform you and let you rest for few minutes before you are guided to a relaxation lounge where you can choose the herbal infusions or warm tea with some refreshments and later you will be escorted to your next destination in the spa or to the spa front desk.
Post Treatment:
Homecare Regime
The spa professional will advise you of the homecare regime to extend the benefit of the product used for you. They may discuss this in the relaxation lounge or tea lounge where you are guided to relax post-treatment.
Changing & Spa Wet Area
The spa professional may bring you back to the changing and relaxation area if you wish to enjoy the hydro amenities after the treatment. They include this in the treatment but seldom you may come across spas that may charge a fee for the wet area faciilty use.
Spa Front Desk
After the treatment depending on whether you want to enjoy the facilities more or head to the spa front desk to settle the payment, the spa professional will escort you to the spa front desk, thank you and bid you warm goodbye without lingering for any tip.
Tip or Gratuity:
Some spas mention at the end of the menu in “how to spa” section that they include the tip amount in the service fee.
But, if the tip is not included and if you have enjoyed the treatment, you can tip between 15% and 20% or more at your discretion.
But, if the tip is not included and if you have enjoyed the treatment, you can tip between 15% and 20% or more at your discretion.
Different spa professionals including spa attendants and spa front desk team may attend you, and it is at your discretion to tip them, if they have gone above and beyond their role to give you a memorable spa experience.
Departure & Feedback Form
While your bill of settlement is in progress, they may offer you a feedback form, which we always recommend writing and give your honest feedback. This helps the spa to know where they stand and what training they may require to improve and deliver a consistent service experience.
And, to be honest, that is how spas remember you very well and look forward to your next visit as they are either corrected for lack of service or recognized for the good work.
The feedback form may also ask you about your details like name, contact and e-mail id and if you wish to be contacted and notified about upcoming events and promotions. You may not want to miss out on the best deals available for a short time.
Kindly note, in the current pandemic COVID-19, there would be additional preventive measures applied for the guest and team’s wellbeing and safety. Including PPE kits, sanitation, disinfection and sterilisation at a clinical-grade going beyond traditional practices.
COVID-19 has forced upon us some changes that we may have to live with for a long time, to know more enroll for the course RESET SPA-POST-COVID-19.
Hope you have enjoyed this Blog Spa Virgin-Only If I Knew.
To learn more about spaEdx –a comprehensive spa education training programme, visit us at spawithrutu.com or contact us at hello@spawithrutu.com, and enroll for the learning modules of your choice from spaEdx programme that teaches you skills for day-to-dayspa operations and business education.
Thank you and wishing you a very Happy Learning and Successful Spa & Wellness Career.
Disclaimer – This blog information about Spa Virgin-Only If I Knew made available on this site offers information for etiquette in spa and wellness, and this blog information is designed solely for reading purposes only.
Nothing stated or posted on this site or available through any blog are intended to be, and must not be taken to be, the practice of medical or counselling care. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content contained on the site, in our blogs, or otherwise by us or a representative of our organization. The use of any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.