2008 Rio de Janeiro Reports

[Sperto]

A medal has to be given to Exec Talent.
He's the only one on the last three pages that presented a real Rio-report (about Balcony). The only post that's not about tipping.

[Lorenzo]

I have had the experience, in the few Brazilian restaurants--usually upscale ones--where a service charge is not included in the bill, of being told most emphatically by the waiter/waitress when being presented with the bill, "servico nao incluido." So it is rather obvious that they are expecting a tip.

L

[Travel Fox]

there are doors on the stalls in helpee now.

the guy in bathroom is kool as a mothafucka. i tip him almost every time i go in.

sylvia or what ever in 4x4 is kool but she does smoke some ciggies. last i was there about 2 years ago i smoked too so it actually made me more understanding of her role around there while talking and puffing away.

i tip in america but i do not tip in any of the various countries i visit. if you properly study the culture wherever it is you go, you should know what to do in general situations. one thing i have learned is no one tips outside of america and it looks foolish to the locals and yes they then may have an open to take advantage of you not solely because of your generosity but also your percived lack of knowledge with regard to local customs (especially in se asia). so, if you have money, the more reason to try to parlay some ass with it in the states where it may really get you that unreachable pussy. most of the pussy in brazil is reachable without all the antics. thats my philosopy...

travelfox

[Edward M]

Maybe there is no toilet lady in the female restroom? I just think it would be strange if they have a guy working the men's restroom and nobody working in the female restroom.
This isn't really a big concern of mine so I leave it up to you confirm if she exist or not.

I do not know if there is a women's room attendant or not but if there was one they would have to pay her since I doubt she would get any tips.

[Ee2002]

Maybe there is no toilet lady in the female restroom? I just think it would be strange if they have a guy working the men's restroom and nobody working in the female restroom.
This isn't really a big concern of mine so I leave it up to you confirm if she exist or not.

No I think I will pass, I have seen all that I need to see.

As far as Sylvia, I will tip when I can, she is a very nice lady and have had my back (lost keys, watch my bags, etc) a few times. Trust me I'm not the tipping type, but fuck it whats a couple of reais here or there to people that you feel deserve it. Even the toilet guy at Help, for years I never gave him shit,LOL. But after talking to him a couple of times, realizing that he is actually a cool guy with a shitty job,LOL, I will throw a real in the tip jar if I have change every time I go to Help.

[Sperto]

I think gringos that are big time tippers are guys that want to live the life of a celebrity...

I had a similar experience. I met a guy from my home town in Rio. He spent all days at MP, TA and Help. His daily bills at MP were never less than R$ 500.

The waiters were almost fighting to have him at their table. The girls were like flies on shit on this guy. They got free drinks, free food and could use his mobile phone as much as they liked. The sellers were delighted. He bought everything they offered, roses, bicinis, Teddy-bears etc. The guy tipped everybody. Big tips!

The guy wasn't rich. He was working his ass off during two years and then came down to Rio spending everything in less than one month.

I asked him why he was throwing away money like a fool? His answer was "look how everybody loves and respect me".

Of course nobody respected him because of his spending and generous tips, propably the contrary. I don't judge him. It was just a way for a nobody to be somebody.

[Sperto]

In all these years of going there I never noticed that there was a toilet lady in the female restroom. Not that I have ever been inside, I mean like her stepping out at anytime or when the girls leave the door wide open. i never noticed that.

Maybe there is no toilet lady in the female restroom? I just think it would be strange if they have a guy working the men's restroom and nobody working in the female restroom.
This isn't really a big concern of mine so I leave it up to you confirm if she exist or not.

[Carlos Primeros]

It is very strange with our American brothers. Their tipping culture is not understood by brothers of European descend.

Europeans tip small and only for an excellent service. We think that if somebody is doing just his job is already paid for it. Only if he/she is going out of their way than a bigger tip is justified. The American brothers simply tip big. I think that this has to do with their socio-cultural background. In the US a waiter can not make a living without tips. So they give. For sure there are also guys who tip very big. To demonstrate their social status. If Americans "have made it" they want to show and demonstrate this fact whereas others simply keep a low profile. This certainly does not apply to everybody. So take my observation with a grain of salt.

Carlos Primeros

[Chi Town Hustler]

some of us did not always have money. i, like others here i am sure, have waited on our share of tables. when staying at a hotel, i always give something to the maids. the other day i happened to run into a waiter i had not seen in a long time. he is a single father with two young children (his wife died). he is one of the best waiters i have ever seen. i had meant to give him something at christmas time, but did not see him, so i gave it to him then. just had a manicure this week and the girl did an excellent job so i tipped her well. i am not going to miss any of these tips. however, the little i gave to each of them will make their lives a little easier.

i must point out that none of the people i tip are looking for handouts. they are hard working and provide excellent service. it will be a cold day in hell however, when i tip a bartender or receptionist at centaurus. even i have my limits.

i think gringos that are big time tippers are guys that want to live the life of a celebrity. that type of gringo wants lots of girls, champaign and respect from not only the girls but from his peers in the club and the waiters that work in the clubs. a gringo i meet in brasil a few years back is a big time tipper on average he has a r500 bill every night in help and he always leaves a r80 tip. after hanging out with the guy a few times i asked him why does he leaves a big tip? his answer was "i am a baller." translation for all you guys that don't understand urban lingo baller means a thug that has "made it" to the big time. well as you may suspect the waiters at help and mp are very happy when they see him also one more thing on this subject i found out that when i hang out with my big tipper friend and guys like him girls tend to give a much higher quote and find it much harder to negotiate down with a gdp when she pegs you to have lots of money. conclusion tipping is only good for the waiter and small favors but bad for over all business that drives up the cost garota.

[Edward M]

In all these years of going there I never noticed that there was a toilet lady in the female restroom. Not that I have ever been inside, I mean like her stepping out at anytime or when the girls leave the door wide open. i never noticed that.

The lady at 4x4 named Sylvia has got to be the highest paid non GDP there, based on all the gringos (especially) that hand her an average of $5r each. She is the only one in that joint that deserve it in my opinion.

I think she may make more than some of the GDPs and that is just wrong. If a girl can make more money not being a GDP then no one will want to be a GDP. Also, what is the tip for? covering your clothes in cigarette smoke?

[Ee2002]

i think he must have the best toilet-guy job in brazil. where else in brazil would guys give a tip after peeing and washing their hands?

i think the toilet-woman on help must have lots of interesting stories to tell. snorting girls, girls fighting with high-heeled shoes and ripping of each others fake hair. propably tons of funny stories about the gringos they got on their hooks. it's a shame that the toilet-woman isn't a member on this forum. she would be the best teacher for all the help-lovers.

in all these years of going there i never noticed that there was a toilet lady in the female restroom. not that i have ever been inside, i mean like her stepping out at anytime or when the girls leave the door wide open. i never noticed that.

the lady at 4x4 named sylvia has got to be the highest paid non gdp there, based on all the gringos (especially) that hand her an average of $5r each. she is the only one in that joint that deserve it in my opinion.

[David68]

Remember when Help was supposed to close. I went straight to him and asked. He told me it was not closing. Then I confirmed it with another trusted employee.

That is a great picture. You should print it out and give it to him the next time you are in town or I can do it. BTW, I never go to the restroom in Help without giving him at least R$1. A good guy.

Same here. He always gives me some free gum or something else just for the hell of it. It would be great if he could get a copy of this photo. I won't be in brazil until new years. maybe you'll get there before me.

[Sperto]

well i agree but i always drop a few bucks for my buddy here. might have the worst job in brazil. i'm sure we all know him.

i think he must have the best toilet-guy job in brazil. where else in brazil would guys give a tip after peeing and washing their hands?

i think the toilet-woman on help must have lots of interesting stories to tell. snorting girls, girls fighting with high-heeled shoes and ripping of each others fake hair. propably tons of funny stories about the gringos they got on their hooks. it's a shame that the toilet-woman isn't a member on this forum. she would be the best teacher for all the help-lovers.

[Exec Talent]

I went to Balcony last night thinking I just would get a night cap. I circled inside the bar area and what did I find -- a 10. Beautiful face, smile and a body to match. She was not smoking or even drinking. I didn't take any chances and immediately asked her to sit outside so we could talk. An hour later we left.

She was not the best in bed I have experienced in Rio, but what she lacked in experience, she made up for in looks. She is 25, has never been married and does not have any kids. What amazed me most is that she had no attitude about her looks.

While most of the girls at Balcony are not keepers, every once in a while you find a gem. My lucky night.

[Exec Talent]

Well I agree but I always drop a few bucks for my buddy here. Might have the worst job in Brazil. I'm sure we all know him.

Remember when Help was supposed to close. I went straight to him and asked. He told me it was not closing. Then I confirmed it with another trusted employee.

That is a great picture. You should print it out and give it to him the next time you are in town or I can do it. BTW, I never go to the restroom in Help without giving him at least R$1. A good guy.