What Therapists Really Think? 5 Things They Don't Say Out Loud
Five lighthearted 'insider' observations men's esthe therapists reportedly share but rarely say out loud — about hands-off clients, nomination reasons, first-timer claims, and more.
What was updated
Published 5 lighthearted things therapists reportedly think but don't say out loud.
What this article covers
Men's esthe therapists are said to share a few common, unspoken observations they rarely say out loud. This article covers five lighthearted ones:
- Why "anything's fine, your call" clients often turn out to be the pickiest
- The mixed feelings behind being asked "why did you book me?"
- The gap between claiming to be a first-timer and acting like a regular
- What a client's post-shower grooming says about their experience level
- Why listening to a client vent about work can actually be the easy part
This article includes editorial opinion
What follows isn't based on an industry-wide survey — it reflects things the editorial team has heard, and it won't apply to every therapist.
1. "Anything's fine, your call" clients often turn out to be the pickiest
Ask "where's bothering you today?" and a client who answers "anything's fine, your call" is sometimes the one who, once the session starts, pipes up with "actually, not there — behind my right shoulder blade" or "a bit firmer, please."
The phrase "your call" is said to sometimes carry an unspoken hope that the therapist will just read their preferences — which turns the first few minutes into a bit of a guessing game.
(From the editorial team: if there's a specific preference, mentioning it upfront would probably save everyone some guesswork.)
2. The mixed feelings behind "why did you book me?"
Asking "why did you choose to book me?" and hearing an honest "the photo was the cutest" is said to be genuinely flattering.
At the same time, it's reportedly followed by a quiet bit of self-assessment — "does today's version of me actually live up to that photo?" There's said to be more going on behind that question than simple small talk.
3. The gap between claiming to be a first-timer and acting like a regular
Some clients who say, a little shyly, "this is actually my first time ever trying this," reportedly move through the paper underwear or flip from face-down to face-up with suspiciously practiced timing.
There's no real need to worry about how experienced you seem, but this particular gap — between what's said and how someone moves — is said to become a quiet topic of conversation among therapists.
(Of course, some people are just fast learners — no way to know for sure.)
4. What post-shower grooming says about experience level
Being offered a shower before treatment is already appreciated, but a client who skips the provided body wash in favor of their own unscented antiperspirant wipes, finishing up with real care, is said to earn a quiet nod of respect — "this person really knows the etiquette."
Attention to grooming is said to be one of the things that helps a therapist relax and focus fully on the session.
5. Why listening to someone vent about work can be the easy part
Clients who say "my shoulders are killing me" and then launch into a flood of work complaints aren't unusual, it's said. From a therapist's perspective, nodding along while the time passes can actually be less physically demanding than a firm, technique-heavy session — even if it takes a different kind of energy.
For clients who enjoy the conversation and therapists alike, it's said to be a fine way to spend the time.
Frequently asked questions
Does this apply to every therapist?
No. This reflects things the editorial team has heard, not a survey — it won't apply to everyone.
Is saying "anything's fine, your call" bad manners?
Not at all. If you do have a specific preference, mentioning it upfront just makes things go more smoothly.
Is it wrong to claim I'm a first-timer when I'm not?
There's no need to exaggerate either way — how experienced you seem doesn't change how you're treated, so there's no reason to worry about it.
