Hey you are entitled to try, but spend a sec thinking WHY we find it insulting...we dont work on corners, we arent desperate, and we are of value. Bartering will rarely get you good service, especially when there are clients that tip. You dont wanna be labelled a cheapo. Regardless if its posted or not, (because thats a matter of bylaw restrictions, not 'anything goes) research can easily lead you to what the prices are at any given place. You guys freak out if a girl overcharges, but see no harm/shame in discounting....tell me how on earth that is different!!
Actually, MPA2, I don't negotiate, but from a few visits to some GTA spas, I could tell that different girls charge different rates. While I don't negotiate as I don't indulge in this hobby often, the discussion of rates and the fact that the girl can decide the rate that she will charge means that it is fundamentally a negotiation.
To your last sentenece in regards to discounting, well, have you never bought a service or product on sale? Did you get made at the business for undercharging you? Were you so overridden with guilt of being offered a discount that you offered to buy at full price? If you ever bought something on sale, didn't you feel so bad for the person who bought it a week earlier at 20% more than you did? Discounting is a simple reality of business and services of a MPA are for the most part, a commercial transaction. Adopting this philosophy is also healthy for the MPA because if she starts veiwing it something much more personal than a business transaction, then she invites her client to do the same and I don't think you want that.
Also, why would a MPA find it so insulting. I'm in the service industry and clients always do comparison shopping to ensure that they get the best deal. Some clients tell us upfront that he/she feels that we overcharge and it's our responsibility to ensure them that they will receive quality service at a fair price. In order to work where I work, I had to go to School, pass courses and train in my field, yet I don't find it insulting for client to search for the best deal. I don't view it as though they are rejecting me personally as it's just business. Similiary, there other people who learn a trade, do an apprenticeship or train for years to do their job but clients still ask them for discounts. I don't see a lot of the professional and workers feeling personally slighted. They accept it as a realtiy of business.