More on expectations

Well, I sure have been thinking about spa expectations since yesterday. I realized that my whole interest in alternative therapies comes out of a deep respect and fascination with ancient practices around the world. I don’t want my spa experiences to be overly Americanized or supersized. I want to feel what they felt. Having said that, my responsibility comes in when I’m not particularly liking what they felt, as it’s happening, and to speak up!

During my conversation with the spa operator yesterday (she gave me the okay to use her name so I’ll tell you here: it’s Maria Sigman and the spa is Salon Echo), she agreed that many, many people don’t speak up because they worry that if they do they’ll get a bad treatment. “They don’t want the technician”—or practitioner—“to be angry with them. I’ve encountered that a lot.”

What she’s also experienced a lot of is people complaining post-treatment, which doesn’t allow her the opportunity to make it right except by comping the treatment, which doesn’t necessarily seem fair; you should be doing your fair share to make sure you have a good spa experience by expressing your needs, expectations and concerns. The other classic response, she says, is none at all. They simply walk out unhappy. Maria says, “I tend to pay attention to clients’ body language and we”—she and her staff—“do that for each other.” She’s caught many a client leaving silently wearing a deflated expression. She’s even called them at home to make it right. Which is something people really appreciate.

On the other hand, please remember, folks, that as Americans we can be pretty—how to say it kindly?—results oriented. We want it, we want it now, and we want it how we want it, often without making the necessary contribution to assure satisfaction, or without taking no for an answer when it is explained that what is being asked is not instantly possible. (Maria said a woman came to her the day before leaving for a beach vacation, expecting that her cellulite vanish with one treatment. She was told it would take at least six and that it would not go away—only divine intervention can do that—but only be ameliorated.)

So make sure your expectations are realistic, express them, and don’t be surprised if you’re told it’s not possible in the blink of an eye. “If I could tap into what peoples’ expectations
are . . .” Maria trailed off. But, as she also pointed out, spa goers tend to be of the belief that what takes place in the treatment room is very mysterious. "People don't speak up because they feel at our mercy, that they have to put up with whatever we do." And, since every single practitioner has his or her own unique style, not to mention technique, that's a whole lot of potential dissatisfaction. So I hereby give us all permission to express those expectations. Now be off and make it so for yourselves.

P.S. Mercury goes retrograde today so be extra careful while driving or doing any travel (I saw a wicked car wreck yesterday and an hour later my friend locked herself out of her car); communicating by email (reread everything, including who the email is going to, before hitting the send button); or working on your computer (save everything). The energy lasts until July 9, but you may feel it a week or two before and after these dates. It’s also most intense on the days it goes retro and again when it goes direct.