newdad

8 hours ago, Monarchy79 said:

Tipping isn’t exactly “mandatory” in the US. 
It’s a “pressured norm” in the US. 

This is what I read on the internet, but am hoping someone can corroborate: "US law says if a server’s wage and tips don’t equal minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference. They only make that wage if wage plus tips meets or exceeds minimum wage."

Following. I hope someone recommends something like a spa, sauna, bathhouse,  or sex club 

7 hours ago, JamesB said:

I frequently travel to Europe and Latin America, particularly Spain, Switzerland, and Panama. I must admit, the tipping culture in the US is rather distinct. We're accustomed to tipping for almost everything. Frankly, I think tipping has become excessive in the US. It's amusing to observe individuals taking this culture abroad and then lamenting about encountering "Gringo prices" or "Gringo Tax." When traveling, it's best to engage with locals; they can provide insights into what is considered appropriate tipping etiquette.

as the old saying goes: "When in Rome..."

24 minutes ago, APPLE1 said:

I've never been to Japan or the Philippines. However, I have a friend who is Indonesian. I was given strict instructions not to tip on my way to her house. After arriving, I assume for negatiations and tipping faux pas, I wasn't allowed to buy things from locals. Both in Java and Borneo, I gave money to her, or her driver, and they gave money to locals.

I have an Aunt who is Oriental, and when I was was with her in Hong Kong, and mainland China, she did not allow me to tip for anything either. She  "tipped" only twice in Hong Kong, and never on the mainland. Once, so we could sit in AC inside a bus, and to MY rickshaw driver. I assume I likely weigh close to twice that of the average resident there.

In very rural areas of both Borneo and China, some people had never seen a Caucasian person. Some people there, especially children, wanted to give me things so they could touch me. I found it weird - I'd obviously never make it as a successful provider!

Thanks for sharing. Never been to indonesia, something to keep in mind for sure.

3 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Read with comprehension of how I phrased it.  BSR did, you can too. 

I said 'can be.'  I made no definitive statement. 

 

We've read enough. The overall context of all of your posts in this thread paints a good picture of your view. Your definition of a "small eatery" says a lot. Have a good day mate.

10 minutes ago, Rod Hagen said:

You type fast!  🙂 I changed my post a bit in the short time it took you to reply, please look above and see.  Ok, sorry to hijack thread.

I just edited my response, so it can match your edits.

8 minutes ago, Rod Hagen said:

Fine then, wise-ass, indentured servant. 

You know this is not a standard business, that this is not the same as hanging Sheet-rock, right?  That the person your gagging with your cock is an actual person and the intimacy that the job entails makes both of you, not just you, vulnerable and insecure, right?  Be kind.  Be gentle in how you talk about us.

After all, how would you feel if your son were an escort and people talked about him in the same, entitled, you-will-do-what-I demand tone you seem to prefer because it's "a job"?

1) I had look up the definition of your chosen term, so I do not confuse it with other political terms: "An indentured servant refers to an individual who entered into a labor contract, known as an indenture, typically for a specified period, in exchange for transportation, food, lodging, and other necessities. This practice was prevalent during colonial times and into the early years of American history, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries."

I don't think escorts are like that because you're not in a labor contract, which is known as indenture. Like I said above, the escort-client relationship is a business relationship similar to a barber-customer relationship. Either party (whether client or provider) can have requests/demands. And if the other party is not willing to to meet these demand/requests, they should take their business elsewhere.

2) It is not a standard business, but it is still a business because there's money involved. One definition of business is exchanged of goods (eg, money) for services (eg., sex). I guess, you can call it sex business. I understand that there's intimacy involved in escorting because you're literally emotionally trusting someone to put their cock in you (or vice versa).  However, escorting is not the only business that involves "intimacy". Have you seen someone go surgery? The patient has to literally trust the surgeon and anesthesiology to the fullest because the patient will be put to sleep and then receive incisions. It can't be anymore "intimate" than that. And guess what? Surgery is still a business when it's all said and done.

3) If my son is an escort and he's not comfortable performing the requirements of the client, I will tell my son to find other customers that are a better match for what my son has to offer. It's a free market.

4 minutes ago, Italiano said:

Actually in Italy it is generally not appreciated (perhaps "offensive" is a bit too much) for the owner of a business to be tipped, for example a Hair Salon even if he/she cuts your hair.

Your username wins. We can't get any European than you.

5 hours ago, BSR said:

The key, of course, is "can be."  In Japan, yes (so I've read), but tips are most welcome in the Philippines.  There is no set percentage.  Plenty of Filipinos don't tips at all, some tip just a 100 pesos (less than $2) on a huge check, some tip 10% or more.

When an aunt visited Baguio, she played at my uncle's tennis club.  She loved playing in the Philippines because you could hire a "pulut-boy" (ballboy) who would chase down all the balls & feed them to you (just like the pro tour!) for just 50 pesos for the whole match (this was a while back, so adjust for inflation).  She always gave 100 pesos (easy when you have Yankee dollars), and sometimes the pulut-boy would literally break down & cry tears of joy.

Mind you, I can't promise that your pinoy ("Filipino" in Filipino) escort/masseur will cry tears of joy if you tip him, but safe to say that tips are greatly appreciated.

I concur with your comment. I visited both countries you mentioned two months ago. In the Philippines, no one turned down my tips and they were very appreciative—even at "eateries" (which our friend above calls them); I believe these places in the Philippines are called Carinderias.

When I was in Japan, it was a different story. My tips were turned down.

6 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

were "you" (?) trying to tip the owner....or an employee?.......if the owner, I might be a bit perturbed, too........

It's both. There are far many restaurants in other countries that do not operate as chains or franchises like we see in the USA; hence, a restaurant is usually owned by a family. So if you tip the waiter, you're basically tipping a family member or a friend of the family working as the waiter. I guess, what our friend above calls "eatery" is better described as like family-owned restaurants. Nonetheless, family-owned restaurants in the US will never turn down tips.

Nonetheless, I do see your point. Had it had been a chain/franchise brand restaurant (especially global American brand), it would be a totally different story. However, the point was not about big vs small brand, bur rather a point against the claim that Europe welcomes tips. As they say, when in Rome....

5 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

One small eatery owner in Lisbon not accepting tips does not make for all European ideology. 

And yet your statement "And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe" was fine to use as if it was an accurate ideology? Do you see the error in that statement?

Also, I was just in the Asia two months ago (see my post history), and I concur with @BSR's comment above. It's mainly Japan that's against tip, while the poor third-world Asian countries (eg, Philippines) would love to have tips. In fact, when I was in the Philippines, no one turned down the tips I gave—not even any small "eatery" (and I always pursue eating at these small hole-in-the wall restaurants because I've found them to be the most authentic).

7 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

And it's Asia where tips can be seen as offensive, not Europe.

 I just had dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon Portugal (Europe) tonight and the owner was demanding that the customer take back his tips. She was rather pissed that the customer gave her a tip.

She serves good food and has great Yelp reviews; you should try it. Her restaurant's name is: Frangasqueira Nacional. Check it out on Yelp to see her glowing reviews (puts any RM review to shame).

And if you don't believe me that she would feel insulted at tips, try even leaving one Euro and you'll hear her go off at you. (saw it first hand tonight. I love Europe and its non-reliance to tipping culture.)

8 hours ago, Rod Hagen said:

Two things are true, based on an apparently honestly reported account, MaxME in SF/LA/NYC behaved poorly. 

Also, NewDad, you are being reductive and we're not your fucking slave.   Good people have requests and expectations.  Assholes have demands.

You are not slaves because Slaves do not get paid and they are doing the work unwillingly.

On the other hand, you are doing the work on your own free will and are getting paid, so it's not slavery (unless it involves human trafficking, which is a different story).

Anyway, I was pointing out that the this entire thing is a business transaction. Escorts provide a service, and clients pay them in return. It's literally the same relationship you have with a barber, a gardener, or a cellphone company. If you're unhappy with the provided service, take your business to a different provider

Do you still tip when hiring a masseur or provider in  Europe?

In America it's pretty much mandatory because of the culture that originally started in restaurant industry but has now seeped through the other industries.

When eating at restaurants in Europe (major countries), tipping is not expected and sometimes frowned upon or discouraged. I wonder if this no-tipping culture permeates when hiring masseurs and providers in Europe.

8 hours ago, Luv2play said:

Looks like he got a setup for Switzerland this week. I would take that over Detroit any day. 😂 

He's traveling constantly. That's how you make business. Locals ain't hiring you day in day out.

1 hour ago, sydneyboy said:

I think it’s highly unlikely that you would mistake a provider with a customer.

Lol. Are there never do-able clients at Thermas? Isn't it a bathhouse after all?

1 hour ago, toddoles said:

1. Know your shoe size in cm. You enter into a locker room. Everything is downstairs. Your locker key is also how they charge you for anything purchased at the bar. 
2. the guys are all around and some will approach you. But you can approach them too.

3. Starts at 50 for 30. Make sure to have Euros

4. have fun!

Thanks! I'm guessing the environment is like a typical bathhouse in the USA, but the only difference is that the providers are also in the bathhouse? Since, everyone will be naked or in towels, is it possible to mistake a customer from a provider then? Or is there anything that will help you identify customers vs providers (eg, wristband with a key)?

Visiting Thermas for the first time in a few weeks. Can those with experience give me some pointers on these (I don't want to be noticed as if I was a newbie):

1. What to expect when going in?

2. How does guy selection happen?

3. Costs to expect?

4. Any other tips?

Thank you community!

14 minutes ago, Harrison92 said:

We just text since we’ve met previously. I noticed he sometimes pulls his ad for a bit and then he puts it back up. 

ah, well, maybe I'd get lucky and see his ad up again.

7 hours ago, Harrison92 said:

Just an update. We had a plan to meet for a fifth time this weekend but I wasn’t able to get a room using cash like I had previously. My wife manages the credit cards so I need cash only. I was going to cancel but He booked and paid for a room .. wouldn’t take reimbursement… I tipped double FYI. He’s definitely a great guy.

How did you book him since he's no longer on RM?

11 hours ago, traveling said:

Stunning and okay guy and just okay experience.  Would not repeat.  Pretty good top.  Once I came, he was ready to leave well before the end of the one hour.  

What if you wanted Round 2 while still have the extra time?

Damn boys, i guess we're dinosaurs now, huh? We're too old for this technology stuff. Get off my lawn!

On 3/18/2024 at 9:03 PM, Mercfan said:

The experience itself sucked.  He was quite robotic and detached.  I actually had to imagine I was with someone else to get myself off.  It was awful.  He has a ton of great reviews on RM and a lot of positive commentary here as well so I am willing to accept that maybe I was the problem (although I'm not bad to look at and I know my way around a bedroom)... but it was definitely not a good experience... markedly worse that any I've had. 

It was never about how you look or how you are in the bedroom. We are hiring these guys to do work for us. They're doing this as their job, and they only have one job: that is to "provide" sexual services. They are "sex providers". This guy sadly chose not to do the job properly when he was with you.

Planning to swing by Portugal.

10 hours ago, BaronArtz said:

Sure,

The Eagle in NYC.

Home - The Eagle NYC (eagle-ny.com)

Management doesn't officially host sex parties but turns a blind eye on the shenanigans on the 1st floor on Friday and Saturday night.  Or is it every night?  

Are there no laws in NYC where alcohol/drinks prohibited from being sold where there's fully nude people around? (Los Angeles or Las Vegas have such laws at least at commercial places available to public)