Are Korean spas mixed gender?
Most jjimjilbang have two distinct areas: the baths, which are same-sex only, and the sauna areas, which are communal. You don’t wear clothes inside the korean spa. And i mean nothing. This might sound terrifying, but i promise you, you’ll get used to it pretty quickly because everyone treats this as such a regular thing.Korean spas are more than just a place to bathe – they’re a cultural experience, a wellness ritual, and an affordable way to relax and detox. Yes, the nudity might feel awkward at first – but once you get past it, you’ll likely find the jjimjilbang to be one of the most rejuvenating things you’ve ever done.
What to know before going to a Korean spa?
Korean bathhouses, known as jjimjilbangs, have specific etiquette: Upon entering, remove your shoes. Undress completely in the gender-segregated locker room before entering communal areas. Wash at the shower stations. Use the baths, saunas, and other facilities without loud conversation. Loess Spa says the benefits of Korean body scrubs include cleaner pores and less acne, and the treatment stimulates blood circulation and promotes skin health.Besides getting skincare treatments or massages, korean spa culture heavily focuses on communal relaxing. That’s why you’ll find large open areas for lounging, a sleeping/meditation room, and a media room.
Do you tip at Korean spa?
Tipping at a spa in South Korea Although in many places around the world it is appropriate to leave a small tip to your therapist, in South Korea there will be no such expectation. Instead, be polite and respectful to the staff, and thank them at the end of the session. The Standard Tipping Rate. The general rule of thumb for most spa and wellness services, including massages. If your massage was good, stick to 15%. If it was amazing, bump it up to 20%.Industry insider: common consensus says 15-20% is considered a normal tip, but honestly any amount less than 20% is considered a bad tip. If I (or the other servers I worked with) got less, we wondered what we did wrong. We weren’t money-hungry monsters, though. There is a reason we expected 20% if we did a great job.In general, for things like sit-down restaurant meals, haircuts and taxis/rideshares, I’d say a 20 percent tip is recommended,” Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says.In beauty salons, spas, or massage parlors, tipping is not expected. Prices already include the cost of service. If you receive exceptional service and wish to show appreciation, a small tip is acceptable but not necessary.Since tips are standard protocol for a private masseuse, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Not sure? When in doubt, always ask, says Post, who says tipping is always appreciated.