Tipping and Gift Certificates

[jamesglewisf]

Question via email - I was looking for a recommendation for tipping after a massage and your information seemed like common sense... until I remembered that I have been given a gift certificate for this service, so I neither know whether the tip has already been included nor how much the service costs to begin with. Do you have a recommendation here? Would it be gauche to call the spa to ask?

[jamesglewisf]

Answer - Tips usually aren't included in a gift certificate, but I would call the spa and ask. They won't be offended; they'll be pleased that you cared enough to ask.