Woman Denied Massage Because of Her Weight

Masseuse claims her table wouldn't support her client; client claims poor hospitality, at the very least

A Colorado woman was denied a massage by a professional masseuse on the grounds that she was too heavy, reports the Detroit Press, which for some reason has the scoop.

Six-foot-three, 250 pound Laura Smith of Aurora was refused a massage following a grueling half marathon because, as the proprietor of the massage business allegedly put it, Smith was "too fat" for their tables.

"I'm not tiny, I know that, but I'm working on it," said Smith in reaction to the incident, which left her in tears. "I had planned [the massage] specifically for the day after my marathon, because I knew I'd be hurting."

But Penny Wells of Aurora's Natural Healing Center, where Smith was hoping to get her rubdown, claims a practical reason for turning Smith down: physics. Wells told reporters that she worried her table might collapse under Smith because one had broken under a 165 pound man. Even so, Smith complains of the lack of common courtesy:

"I honestly expected to have some kind of a phone call or something from them, just to say, 'wow, we're really sorry we didn't know it came across that way,' or something, but nothing."

Via WDIV.

Should it be against the law to discriminate on grounds of weight?

[Zazziness]

I'm very surprised the tables aren't rated for weight in the first place. (In fact, I'm suspicious. I'll bet they are.) And it seems very odd to me a masseuse wouldn't be able to handle a 250lb man, so if it turned out to be sheer prejudice that's the real reason, it would make more sense.

[Zazziness]

I thought so. I was curious so I Googled "portable massage tables." The very cheapest one I found -- not one a professional would use -- was rated for 700 pounds. So the masseuse was full of bs about the reasons, IMHO.

[Hireman]

Yeah, something seemed off on this. I understand weight being an issue, and maybe it has something to do with straining the worker in moving the customer as they don't want the customer to do it his/herself. However, like you, I thought the table could handle a ton (pun intended) more weight. I think the owner is just an idiot. Great chance for someone to open a parlor nearby that caters to people up to 300 (or more) pounds.

[jamie91]

@Zazziness that sounded suspicious to me too. 250 is not that unheard of a weight, especially someone 6'3".

[Knightkore]

Ugh....okay....pressed the wrong button....yes it should be against the law....but would anyone want to give a deep tissue massage to Nancy Pelosi? Rush Limbaugh?

[methinks]

@jamie91 Yeah, at 6'3 and 250, she wouldn't be that big at all! And if her table failed for a 165lb man, then her table was faulty, because that's average weight. If you get a guy whose 6'1 and 200, then I guess she couldn't handle that as well.

This masseuse needs to be bitched slapped!

[RoFroh]

Voted yes, but this is not discrimination, if their response was "we don't massage fat people because their gross" then that would be discrimination

[AntiPorcheria]

It isn't discrimination when safety is an issue. Too heavy for the table? Too bad. Go elsewhere. Too short to ride the ride? Too bad. Go elsewhere. Too big to fit in the movie seat? Too bad. Go elsewhere. Too big to fit out your front door? Call Oprah. But for Christs sake not everything is discrimination. Sometimes it just sucks.

[methinks]

She said the table had issues with a 165lb guy. If that's the case, then she needs a new table. Proportionally, 250lbs isn't that big if you're 6'3.

[AntiPorcheria]

@methinks - Good point. However, I have to wonder how big/strong the masseuse is. If she's a petite 130 pounds then lugging around a table rated for 250 lbs would be difficult.
I weigh in at 275 and while I enjoy a good massage now and then, I would be very hesitant to put my weight and the force of the masseuse on some of the portable tables that I have seen. If her table had issues with a 165lb guy then she's probably not a very high end masseuse. Sounds as if the masseuse needs to upgrade and the big girl needs to find another masseuse. Like I said before, sometimes it just sucks.

[methinks]

@AntiPorcheria I posted a link elsewhere on this thread where a portable massage table is rated at 800lbs working, and 3200 lbs stationary. If she was having issues with a table with the 165lb man on it, then there was probably a serious problem with that table.

Again, in terms of proportions, 250lbs on a 6'3" frame is not that big. I have 200lbs on a 5'7" frame with a 32" waist. No one EVER guesses I weigh as much as I do. The most I ever get is in the 175-180lb range. Muscle weighs more than fat. She said she just ran a marathon, so she must be in some kind of shape. Wouldn't you agree?

[AntiPorcheria]

@methinks - I agree that muscle weighs more than fat, however I don't assume she's in great shape (from her picture and statement). My point is that if the masseuse has a problem or poor equipment or whatever, every business owner has the right to refuse anyone for any reason. She felt her equipment wouldn't hold this lady. Give her the benefit of the doubt. Would it be better to let her collapse the table and get injured? Or take her money and give her an unsatisfactory experience?

I'm a tall, big guy. Portable tables come in various ratings and I wouldn't trust any of them. When I go get a steam and a rub-down I go to a place that has bolted, stainless tables with long, solid tops.(It's a private, weight lifting and fitness establishment.) She can choose where she goes, but she can't choose how she feels about herself. The masseuse has nothing to benefit in any way by insulting this gal. And I have had my share of small people (men and women) that couldn't take care of my massage needs. I would rather someone didn't waste my time and money and was honest rather than let me relax, fall and get hurt or not be able to hit the deep muscles satisfactorily. Then again, I don't have female body issues. ;)

[JoinCCA]

If the table could not support her weight, what the big deal for saying it?

[PoliticalSpice]

Big deal? Surely, that word chiice is no accident!

[JoinCCA]

@PoliticalSpice no pun intended. Didn't even catch that.

[PoliticalSpice]

@JoinCCA Yea, right. And I only offend right wing posters by accident... :)

[JoinCCA]

@PoliticalSpice haha...

[jessejaymes]

Obesity is not a race, a religion, a gender or a sexual orientation. Now you liberals are going to legislate that masseuses HAVE TO massage obese people they don't want to massage? Where does it end in America? Do people with Herpes get to infect everyone they want just because?

[Zazziness]

:? Not a very good comparison unless you think obesity is contagious.(It isn't.)

[JoinCCA]

How did you go from obesity to herpes? Nice transition.

[jessejaymes]

@JoinCCA Both are national epidemics.

[JoinCCA]

@jessejaymes I got ya. It was just a funny comparison.

[jessejaymes]

@Zazziness You know I try to be tolerant of both sides beliefs and ask myself "are they right on this one?". But today alone you have defended the obese at every turn while saying "yes it is a problem but we shouldn't be penalizing the obese" FOR ANYTHING. They penalize me. Why shouldn't they be penalized. They drive up the cost of health Care. The AMA ALSO says obesity is the single most responsible issue for the rise in health care. Airline tickets cost for to get this fat ass nation off the ground. Look it up. Food buffets are more expensive because of the MONSTER amounts the obese eat. And now you even want to regulate masseuses that they have to accommodate the Obese. You say "there are other ways" to reduce Obesity. What in the world "other ways" do you have in mind since you clearly want to accommodate the obese at the expense of everyone else in every possible situation? What exactly would motivate an obese person to lose weight under your total obesity accommodation platform?

[BossTweed]

We can't discrimate against Herpes carriers and must accept their infection. It is a matter of Social Justice!

[dances-weebles]

being overweight can be considered a handicap and therefore it's illegal to discriminate against overweight people. on the other hand, if the tables won't support the person, then other accommodations might be made. the entire affair could have been handled in an efficient, non-hurtful way. such as helping the client to find more suitable accommodations, or by moving her massage to another venue where she could be served.

[jessejaymes]

Except for the fact that the American Medical Association says obesity is the number one PREVENTABLE killer in America and that 95% of obesity is totally preventable. That's not being handicapped. That's being fat.

[PNWest]

You said it better than I could have. Good comment.

[seedtick]

And, the client could have disclosed her weight problem ahead of time...she is well aware of it because she said "I'm working on it." I would have put her big butt on the floor and worked on her...assuming she would do it. Otherwise she could go elsewhere. As far as handicapped is concerned....this big woman just got through running.

[JoinCCA]

@jessejaymes Not to be politically correct, but obesity is the second leading preventable killer in America, behind tobacco use.

[jessejaymes]

@JoinCCA Not according to the AMA two years ago.

[Chromalord]

unfortunately, things designed for use by the public often have to adhere to general ranges in size, weight limitations or both in order for them to be cost effective. Can you imagine the size of a plane if its objective was to seat as many people but with the higher weight allowance? The result would be a much longer time to recoup building expenses as well as much wasted space, leading to higher fuel costs. Even left-handers often find circumstances when they are faced with something designed only for right-handers and the very tall have it rough too. Businesses calculate expenses and profits based on averages, not exceptions.

[tomincali]

maybe before jumping on this the table be inspected for weight limits

[Yank]

A table broke under a 165lb man? I call BS.

[mrsdarling]

I agree with Yank!

[dances-weebles]

from this online advert i believe that the 'weak tables' argument is a weak excuse.

http://www.naturalhealingdenver.com/
http://www.groupon.com/biz/aurora-co/natural-...

XXXXXXXX, OMD brings a wealth of experience to her treatments. Having studied acupuncture orthopedics and korean hand therapy under master practitioners, the licensed acupuncturist and doctor of oriental medicine draws on myriad therapeutic techniques to tailor needling sessions to individual needs. She’s joined by massage therapists who also pluck from various modalities—including Swedish and deep-tissue—to soothe knotted muscles within pristine treatment rooms. Whether treating chronic pain, anxiety, or a weeklong case of the Mondays, Dr. Wells and her staff work with them to design the most effective holistic treatment plans.

an interesting link to customer comments.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/natural-healing-cente...

[seedtick]

What the hell? Put her on the table and it collapses and she sues. Refuse to let her get onto the table and she bitches...claims descrimination. If she needs special consideration she should give special consideration in return. Call ahead and disclose her special needs. My sister in law was a licensed massage therapist for a long time...her portable table was not built to support heavy folks.

[jessejaymes]

Just maybe the masseuse was trying to be tactful and avoid coming right out and saying she/he didn't like massaging obese people. I sure as hell wouldn't. There are masseuses that will only massage males or only females. That's not illegal. I wouldn't want to touch Nancy Pelosi or John Boehner. Has it come to this in America? Nobody has any rights to say no to anything. Is that what it amounts to?

[harold_lloyd]

Nothing should be done simply because of this story.
Something smells.
There's more to this than we're being told.

Per FAA Advisory Circular (AC-120-27D)-
Average adult male passenger weight: 200 lb
Average adult female passenger weight: 179 lb

[jessejaymes]

After my wife died and I was sitting around moping with all the kids grown and gone, one day my two daughters show up at the house. "Dad we need to talk. You are getting FAT and it's not healthy for you to be like this. We love you and we can't lose you too this soon.". They offered to help any way I wanted but they would not take no for an answer. The literally shamed and guilt tripped me into losing weight. It really wasn't that hard once I got started. Kept it off for almost 5 years now. We are the fattest nation in the world. We didn't used to be until the liberals took over back in the 1980's and decided "big is beautiful" and "it's hurts the self esteem of fat people to notice it". Now today we are the fattest nation in the world. We have epidemics of diabetes, heart disease and obesity related disease. obesity is the number one preventable killer in America. It's time for some tough love for this country. It's time to stop saying fat is fine. Because it's not.

[stepped_in_it]

So....your girls kinda had a "fat" intervention? At least did they bring a pan of Lasagna to this "meeting".......lol. IMO, it's great that your kids cared enough to want their Dad around to enjoy his Grandkids.....sounds like they love their Dad! Very much.

[MzSmith]

Good for you. Keep it up.

[mrsdarling]

I am a massage therapist, and I've never seen a massage table with a low weight limit like that. The weight limit for my table is 450 and I have had people close to that on it. She was way out of line refusing this lady.

[MzSmith]

Exactly. Those silly people need to stop being cheap and get better tables if they really want to make money if that is the case.

[mrsdarling]

@MzSmith If that massage therapist was limiting her clientele to only people under 165 lbs, that's just hilarious. Even an inexpensive massage table would have a much higher weight limit than that. The way a massage table is designed it would be very unlikely to break from someone just laying on it. It would be more likely that the MASSAGE THERAPIST did something while performing the massage that would cause the table to shift and break.

[Dan_Tien]

Public services should not be able to discriminate, but I think that private business operators should be able to discriminate for any reason that they choose. Why should quitting the business be the legal only option to avoid working with, on or for someone that you find personally distasteful?

[ctc]

Hold the freak'n phone.......she just ran a half-marathon....how obese can she be??

[jessejaymes]

Yeah yeah, she "ran" a half marathon. I ran the Long Beach Marathon at age 50. Took me six hours but I 'ran' it. Get a grip. Someone that size walked a half marathon. Good for her but she's still obese.

[Jet_Silverman]

The table collapsed under 165 lbs!? Something is rotten...either the masseuse is lying and just doesn't want to do a fat chick, or the table is no good, and needs to be replaced.

[NTBFW]

It's up to the owners. If the restaurant owner can keep a gay rights group out of his business. Then a masseuse can refuse to massage a fat person. It's their business. It might hurt business but it is theirs to run however they want.

[stepped_in_it]

Me thinks the YES votes are the obese folks and the HARD TO SAY are the borderline "chubbys".......I say NO WAY, as I watch my intake and blame my weight problems (which I don't have) on not doing my proper "push aways".....push away from the food trough!