I (40F) who suffers from chronic pain, and massage therapy is one of the few things that brings me any relief. Today, I went for a scheduled 90-minute massage hoping for some rest and recovery.
About 20 minutes into the session, I was in a deeply relaxed, meditative state when the massage therapist unexpectedly projectile vomited — all over my back, neck, and head. It was shocking, disgusting, and completely broke the sense of calm. She apologized and rushed out to get towels, leaving me sitting there, stunned and covered in vomit. I did my best to clean myself up, but I was overwhelmed, dry-heaving, and just wanted to get home to scrub off and try to feel normal again.
As I tried to leave, the staff stopped me and insisted I still needed to pay for the full 90-minute massage — arguing that I was “cancelling” and they could clean me off and continue the session. I was appalled. I told them I needed to go home and shower immediately, and we got into a brief argument before I left without paying.
Since then, I’ve received multiple voicemails from the business threatening to call the police and press charges for theft if I don’t return and pay by the close of business tomorrow.
Am I the asshole for refusing to pay after being vomited on mid-massage?
Comments
Backup of the post’s body: I (40F) who suffers from chronic pain, and massage therapy is one of the few things that brings me any relief. Today, I went for a scheduled 90-minute massage hoping for some rest and recovery.
About 20 minutes into the session, I was in a deeply relaxed, meditative state when the massage therapist unexpectedly projectile vomited — all over my back, neck, and head. It was shocking, disgusting, and completely broke the sense of calm. She apologized and rushed out to get towels, leaving me sitting there, stunned and covered in vomit. I did my best to clean myself up, but I was overwhelmed, dry-heaving, and just wanted to get home to scrub off and try to feel normal again.
As I tried to leave, the staff stopped me and insisted I still needed to pay for the full 90-minute massage — arguing that I was “cancelling” and they could clean me off and continue the session. I was appalled. I told them I needed to go home and shower immediately, and we got into a brief argument before I left without paying.
Since then, I’ve received multiple voicemails from the business threatening to call the police and press charges for theft if I don’t return and pay by the close of business tomorrow.
Am I the asshole for refusing to pay after being vomited on mid-massage?
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks for submitting to the Two Hot Takes Podcast Subreddit! We’d like to remind you that all posts are subject to being featured in an episode of the Two Hot Takes Podcast. If your story is featured you’ll
get a nifty flair change to let you know and we’ll drop a link so you can see our host’s take on your story.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
We can clean you off and continue 😂😂😂 fkn what ? You were literally covered in another humans waste , it’s a bio hazard . If they continue tell them you’ll call the health authorities
Tell them youl call the police for assault, they vomited on you
If they want to be petty, join them 🤣
They absolutely have no ground to stand on. If anything, being projectile vomited on is a lot more serious as you don’t know if the therapist was ill with something contagious or not. I would check in with your doctor and maybe get a consultation with a lawyer-if they do seriously try to call the cops, you want to be armed with the info necessary to make them regret that.
NTA. They should have offered to book you another session for free.
NTA. They should have offered to book you another session for free.
NTA. When I saw the title I was thinking I cannot imagine anything I read will make me think there’s a logical reason for you not to pay for a massage you booked and here it is. They not only didn’t fulfill a service, you ended up covered in someone else’s waste. I cannot imagine the police would take their side if they were to go through on that threat. I’m so sorry that happened and hope you can get another massage and ease of pain soon!
NTA WHAT THE FUCK
They shouldn’t charge, yeah the vomiting couldn’t be helped or predicted but also you weren’t expected to be puked on. Insane business
Call he health department, explan exactly what happened.
You need to speak to the owner and threaten to sue. I would actually sue considering their behavior, because you were exposed to someone else’s bodily fluids without so much as an apology from the company or free services or a freaking SHOWER even. It’s a massage studio, I would be surprised if there wasn’t a shower on premises.
They should have ushered you into a shower then offered you like, three months of free weekly massages.
holy shit
you’re def NTA and the therapist should’ve offered to pay out of pocket for you
….what. there’s no way.
Let them call the police!!!! Jesus that’s so gross.