Good Communication is the Key
So, I had an interesting experience last week. Someone had made an appointment for their mother-in-law, which is typically no big deal. However, what I didn’t know is that their mother-in-law was visiting from Germany and didn’t know much English.
Now, I lived in Germany 30+ years ago and during that time I would say I was decently proficient in the language, however, I haven’t practiced any of the language for 30 years and now I don’t know more than a handful of words like please and thank you. However, I don’t know if even 30 years ago I would have been able to speak my “massage language”.
Her son brought her in for the appointment and I had him explain what needed to take place…I would work on the back of her body then have her roll over and then work her neck and shoulders, etc. You know the drill. What could go wrong, right?
Well nothing went really wrong, but I realized that because there was a language barrier, I couldn’t ask her things like:
- How’s the temperature?
- How’s my pressure?
- Where would you like me to focus your massage session?
These are questions that seem simple for me on a daily basis, but when I can’t ask those questions, then I am at a loss.
I realized during this session that I rely on you to let me know these things throughout your massage session. Although I like to think that I know ALL things, I do not, especially when each person is so individually different. What worked during your session last time may not work this time and so forth.
Your time on my table is just that–YOUR TIME. Am I working the areas that need to be worked? Are you cold or hot? How can I adjust the temperature so that you are comfortable? Believe it or not, the temperature in the room is for YOUR comfort, not for mine (I hear all the time that you don’t want make me hot by having me turn up the temperature in the room. I am working, so I am going to get hot anyway, so you had just as well be warm and comfy.) How is the pressure? Does it need to more or less? I am not a mind reader so please let me know if it needs to adjusted. Am I meeting your expectations? If I am not, then please let me know how I can make your session better. If I am, then shout it out off the rooftops and let everyone know. : )
Good communication IS the key to a good massage session. If I don’t know how your session is going, then I am going to assume that all is well. Again, I’m not a mind reader, so I don’t know unless you let me know.
MY CHALLENGE TO YOU: Please tell me if your expectations during your massage session are being met. How can I make your session better? Enquiring minds want to know….