From Embarrassed to Relaxed: How Cinqsaa’s Kind Staff Made My First Visit Amazing
Let me tell you about the most mortifying 90 minutes of my adult life—and how it taught me everything I
needed to know about proper spa etiquette. My first visit to Cinqsaa Beauty Salon & SPA was supposed
to be a relaxing treat for my 35th birthday. Instead, I turned it into a comedy of errors that still makes me
cringe three years later.
I thought I was being smart by doing my research beforehand. I read reviews, checked prices, and even
watched YouTube videos about spa treatments. What I didn’t do was learn basic spa etiquette—and trust
To me, that oversight came back to bite me in ways I never imagined.
The Phone Call That Should've Been My First Clue
When I called to book my appointment, the lovely Lilia at Cinqsaa asked me several questions
That seemed overly detailed at the time. “Have you visited a spa before?” Any health conditions we should
know about? Would you prefer a male or female therapist?” I brushed through these questions quickly.
eager to just book my massage and facial package.
Big mistake number one: I didn’t take the consultation seriously. The staff was trying to prepare me for
success, but I was too excited (and honestly, too proud) to admit I had no clue what I was doing
Arrival: When "Fashionably Late" Isn't Fashionable
I showed up exactly at my appointment time—2 PM for a 2 PM booking. Sounds reasonable, right?
Wrong! The staff politely explained that spa appointments require you to arrive 15-20 minutes early for
check-in and preparation. I had already thrown off their carefully orchestrated schedule.
The front desk team at Cinqsaa handled this gracefully, but I could see the slight concern in their eyes.
They quickly walked me through the intake forms I should’ve completed earlier, asking about allergies,
medications, and treatment preferences. I was scribbling answers while other clients glided serenely past
me toward the treatment rooms.
Here’s what I learned: Always arrive early! Those extra minutes aren’t just buffer time—they’re essential
for:
The Changing Room Confusion
The aesthetician led me to a beautiful, dimly lit room and handed me what looked like paper underwear
and a robe. “Undress to your comfort level and lie face down under the sheet,” she said before stepping
out.
I stared at those paper garments like they were alien artifacts. Undress to my comfort level? What did that
even mean? I spent ten minutes trying to figure out if I was supposed to wear the paper underwear, my
own underwear, or nothing at all. Then there was the robe situation—was I supposed to keep it on or
Take it off?
I ended up creating some weird hybrid outfit that made no sense, then spent another five minutes trying
to figure out how to position myself under the sheet. When the therapist knocked, I panicked and said
“Come in!” while I was still adjusting everything.
The poor woman had to coach me through proper positioning like I was learning to ride a bike.
Thankfully, the staff at Cinqsaa are absolute professionals and handled my confusion with such grace that
I didn’t feel completely mortified.
What I learned about undressing etiquette:
The Facial Fiasco
After my massage, I moved to the facial room, feeling slightly more confident. The aesthetician began
analyzing my skin under a bright magnifying lamp, and I made the mistake of starting a full conversation
about my skincare routine.
She politely tried to redirect me to relax, but I kept chatting away, asking questions about every product
she used and giving running commentary on how everything felt. I thought I was being friendly and
engaged!
It wasn’t until she gently said, “This is your time to completely relax and let go,” that I realized I was
treating a spa service like a social hour. The whole point was to decompress and be present, not to turn it
into an interview.
Once I finally shut up and sank into the experience, it was incredible. The facial at Cinqsaa included
extractions, multiple masks, and a scalp massage that literally put me to sleep. I understood then why
people become spa addicts—it’s not just about the treatments; it’s about the mental break
The Tipping Confusion
When it came time to pay, I faced another etiquette challenge: tipping. I had no idea what was
appropriate or how to handle it when multiple service providers were involved. I awkwardly asked the
front desk about tipping guidelines, and they explained it clearly without making me feel stupid.
At Cinqsaa, like most spas, the standard is 18-20% per service provider. Since I had two different
therapists, I needed to tip each separately. They made it easy by providing envelopes and explaining I
could add the tips to my credit card payment.
When it came time to pay, I faced another etiquette challenge: tipping. I had no idea what was
appropriate or how to handle it when multiple service providers were involved. I awkwardly asked the
front desk about tipping guidelines, and they explained it clearly without making me feel stupid.
At Cinqsaa, like most spas, the standard is 18-20% per service provider. Since I had two different
therapists, I needed to tip each separately. They made it easy by providing envelopes and explaining
could add the tips to my credit card payment.
Tipping guidelines I wish I'd known:
The Quiet Zone Reality Check
My biggest etiquette fail happened in the relaxation room afterwards. Cinqsaa has this beautiful, quiet
space with comfortable loungers where you can decompress before leaving. I plopped down and
I immediately started texting my sister about the experience, complete with selfies and voice messages.
The dirty looks from other guests finally clued me in that this was supposed to be a silent, meditative
space. I felt like such a tourist! Everyone else was quietly sipping cucumber water and reading magazines,
while I was over there narrating my spa experience like a travel blogger.
I quickly put my phone away and tried to salvage some dignity by actually relaxing. Those 20 minutes of
Genuine quiet time ended up being one of the best parts of the whole experience. It helped me transition
back to reality gradually instead of rushing straight back into my chaotic day.
What I Got Right (Eventually)
Despite all my mistakes, I did eventually figure out a few things during that first visit:
Hydration is key—
I drank tons of water before and after, which the staff appreciated and made
me feel better overall.
I tipped appropriately—
Once I understood the guidelines, I made sure to show appreciation for the
Excellent service.
I listened to aftercare advice—
The aesthetician gave me specific instructions for post-facial care, and I
Followed them (mostly).
I rescheduled properly—
When I wanted to book my next appointment, I gave adequate notice and
worked with their preferred booking system.
My Second Visit: Redemption Story
Three months later, I returned to Cinqsaa for another spa day, armed with proper etiquette knowledge. What a difference! I arrived 20 minutes early, completed my forms thoughtfully, communicated clearly with my therapists, maintained appropriate quiet zone behavior, and actually relaxed.
The staff remembered me (probably from my previous spectacular display of spa ignorance), and commented on how much more comfortable I seemed. The treatments felt twice as effective because I wasn’t fighting the process or overthinking every interaction.
If you haven’t read about it yet, here’s how my first visit to Cinqsaa unfolded—a complete shift from uncertainty to calm confidence.
According to Verywell Mind, understanding basic spa etiquette not only improves the experience for guests but also allows therapists to deliver more effective care.
The Bottom Line: Spa Etiquette Isn't Intimidating
Looking back, my spa etiquette mistakes were embarrassing but not catastrophic. The team at Cinqsaa
Beauty Salon & SPA handled everything with such professionalism that I never felt truly judged—just
gently guided toward better practices.
The truth is, proper spa etiquette isn’t about being pretentious or following complicated rules. It’s about
creating an environment where everyone can truly relax and get the most from their treatments. When
you arrive prepared, communicate clearly, respect the quiet spaces, and show appreciation for good
service, you’re not just following etiquette—you’re enhancing your own experience.
Every spa visit since then has been infinitely better because I learned these lessons the hard way. Now
when I see other first-time spa-goers looking confused or nervous, I try to offer a friendly tip if
appropriate. We’ve all been there!
My advice for spa newbies: Don’t let etiquette anxiety keep you from enjoying these amazing
experiences. Ask questions, arrive early, speak up about your preferences, and remember that the
staff wants you to have a wonderful time. The rest will come naturally.
Trust me, once you get the hang of it, regular spa visits become one of life’s greatest pleasures. And
places like Cinqsaa Beauty Salon & SPA make it easy to fall in love with proper self-care—even if you
Stumble through your first visit like I did!