Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68016
TRADES AND BARTERS Lately, perhaps because of the slow economy, more people have been asking me to trade or barter for a massage. I don't know how to turn them down, and then I regret it. For instance, last week I did several exchanges: with a professional photographer in exchange for a photo of my family (which was nice, but not a high priority for me); with another massage therapist, who doesn't put as much into it as I do; and with a male acquaintance who is supposed to mow my lawn but hasn't yet. I worked all day and not only didn't I have any cash to show for it, I also felt like I got the short end of the stick. How do I get out of this mess? carol K., Phoenix, arizona You're wise to ask for help. Trades and barters may sound appealing and easy at first, but it can take extra work to make sure the exchange feels balanced. (Trade refers to exchanging your work for similar bodywork or massage. Barter involves exchanging your work for an object or another kind of service.) For one thing, any time we are giving a massage for something other than our regular fees, we have to be clearer with boundaries and setting limits. After all, money is precise. If you charge $60, your clients don't write you checks for $59.25. But when you trade or barter, it's impossible to be precise about what you expect. How do you communicate to the other party exactly how well the lawn has to be mowed or specify how satisfying your colleague's massage should feel? Furthermore, when you trade or barter, you're automatically putting yourself and the other person in dual relationships, wearing two hats. One minute you're the kindly, non- judgmental massage therapist and the next, you have to evaluate how well they're holding up their end of the deal. Here's an example: it may sound ideal to barter with your landlord for rent. After all, that's a big chunk of cash you won't have to come up with. But when he's the client, you are in a more nurturing, accepting mode. Perhaps he starts telling you all his troubles. How awkward is it then to hold him accountable for failing to fix the roof that's been leaking? connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 115