coriolis888

Moderator note: if we want to discuss Mexican food let’s start a topic elsewhere. We have clearly gone off topic here…back to remembering @Epigonos 

Another year has gone by - one of those "just yesterday", but "forever" things.  I so miss arguing ("discussing") about almost anything with him.  And I plain just miss my dear friend.😔😌 

I have recently dealt with these issues. I was executor of my late spouse's estate; the alternate executor--if I were unwilling or unable to perform--was one of my spouse's brothers. Because I was the sole beneficiary of my spouse's estate as well as executor, I was told by our lawyer that probate was unnecessary, and the settlement has gone smoothly, albeit with a lot of paperwork.
Since my spouse was named executor in my will, I had to make a new will after he died. The same brother-in-law agreed to become the executor of my will, and his daughter is named the alternate if he is unwilling or unable to perform (she is a lawyer and quite competent). Both of them rejected my offer of financial compensation for their duties. There are several beneficiaries named in my new will, none of them related to me by blood, but since I have no family of my own and owe no debts, I don't expect it to be contested by anyone, but I can't be sure that it will avoid probate. 

I don't trust any of my family members.  I do have friends that I trust.  My Trust is set up so that a friend is the executor and another friend is the successor.  There are provisions to pay both of my friends for their duties in administration my Trust.
I wouldn't impose and ask them to do it for free.  Similar to how if I ask a friend to come over and help me move furniture, I will take him out to dinner and drinks afterwards as a thank you.

First on the website. I asked him his rate and he said 800. I saw that his ad said available for videos, so I asked. He said for that, it would be 1500. He then suggests I text him, so I did. He really wanted me to get a hotel in WeHo, but I was going to be in Downtown Los Angeles and didn't really want to get a hotel room that would be more inconvenient for me (I had some business to attend to in Downtown LA). I offered an extra 100 for an Uber. I then say what I wanted to do again to make sure he understood and Valentino said "What did we agree on? Like 2000? And that's for videos without face?" I told him I didn't really think it was worth it for that amount not to have his face in the videos, but he later said it was fine. He then said he would insist on a payment beforehand. I sent a little less than half. He then told me he needed to be somewhere by 1PM. I had asked to meet at 11:30 so we could have about an hour of fun. On the day of the planned meet, he then said he was going to be running late because I insisted on a hotel that was so damn far away from WeHo (his words). Given that he said he was running late at 11:30, I felt like he might really eat into that hour we agreed upon. He just kept complaining (even after providing him with a deposit of 900). It seemed like a fight with how his rate ballooned from 800 to 2000. I felt some bad vibes given how combative he came across in trying to plan a meet. After he tried to blame me for him being late, I told him I don't think we will get along and I just blocked his number. Sucks that I'm out almost a grand, but paying another 1,100 for a meet that might have been as little as 30 mins seemed ridiculous. He has three 5 star reviews, so I expected him to be somewhat decent. 

I'm not sure if this is meant to be a joke, but it's neither funny nor true.

Puzzled - why is it odd?
It is good that the original poster alerted his bank because the scammer might have information about his bank accounts and could have his bank accounts scammed.  By advising the bank to watch out for a possible thief, an alert would be put on the bank accounts.  
Advising a sheriff to the extortions is producing a record of a criminal act (extortion) that could potentially protect the victim in the event that the scammer denies being involved in attempted extortion. 

Although it is psychologically difficult to cut someone off that once was an active attraction, it is clear that the guy will not treat you well in any future meeting.  Therefore, you should block him from your phone and ignore the door if he returns to your place to confront you.  
It is clear that he does not value your friendship except for money and valuables that he can scam from you in the future.  
Did you not notice his "rentmen" one star review (from a few months back) that told a negative story about him.  Here is the short narrative the reviewer wrote on rentmen's site about his experience with the "escort":
"Santos was unprofessional and completely uninterested. Worst of all, he stole from me during our session. I realized money was missing right after he left, and he ignored my messages. Stay away!"
 
 

Puzzled - why is it odd?
It is good that the original poster alerted his bank because the scammer might have information about his bank accounts and could have his bank accounts scammed.  By advising the bank to watch out for a possible thief, an alert would be put on the bank accounts.  
Advising a sheriff to the extortions is producing a record of a criminal act (extortion) that could potentially protect the victim in the event that the scammer denies being involved in attempted extortion. 

Puzzled - why is it odd?
It is good that the original poster alerted his bank because the scammer might have information about his bank accounts and could have his bank accounts scammed.  By advising the bank to watch out for a possible thief, an alert would be put on the bank accounts.  
Advising a sheriff to the extortions is producing a record of a criminal act (extortion) that could potentially protect the victim in the event that the scammer denies being involved in attempted extortion. 

Puzzled - why is it odd?
It is good that the original poster alerted his bank because the scammer might have information about his bank accounts and could have his bank accounts scammed.  By advising the bank to watch out for a possible thief, an alert would be put on the bank accounts.  
Advising a sheriff to the extortions is producing a record of a criminal act (extortion) that could potentially protect the victim in the event that the scammer denies being involved in attempted extortion. 

You won't see them (on RentMen at least) if you are in the US unless you use a VPN and set you location abroad.

Friendship ?  You see 'hiring an escort' as 'having a friendship' ? 
Damn, that's quite a reach.  

I wouldn't escalate it with an actual threat, just the statement about already having talked to the police would be enough I think.

Although it is psychologically difficult to cut someone off that once was an active attraction, it is clear that the guy will not treat you well in any future meeting.  Therefore, you should block him from your phone and ignore the door if he returns to your place to confront you.  
It is clear that he does not value your friendship except for money and valuables that he can scam from you in the future.  
Did you not notice his "rentmen" one star review (from a few months back) that told a negative story about him.  Here is the short narrative the reviewer wrote on rentmen's site about his experience with the "escort":
"Santos was unprofessional and completely uninterested. Worst of all, he stole from me during our session. I realized money was missing right after he left, and he ignored my messages. Stay away!"
 
 

Although it is psychologically difficult to cut someone off that once was an active attraction, it is clear that the guy will not treat you well in any future meeting.  Therefore, you should block him from your phone and ignore the door if he returns to your place to confront you.  
It is clear that he does not value your friendship except for money and valuables that he can scam from you in the future.  
Did you not notice his "rentmen" one star review (from a few months back) that told a negative story about him.  Here is the short narrative the reviewer wrote on rentmen's site about his experience with the "escort":
"Santos was unprofessional and completely uninterested. Worst of all, he stole from me during our session. I realized money was missing right after he left, and he ignored my messages. Stay away!"
 
 

Although it is psychologically difficult to cut someone off that once was an active attraction, it is clear that the guy will not treat you well in any future meeting.  Therefore, you should block him from your phone and ignore the door if he returns to your place to confront you.  
It is clear that he does not value your friendship except for money and valuables that he can scam from you in the future.  
Did you not notice his "rentmen" one star review (from a few months back) that told a negative story about him.  Here is the short narrative the reviewer wrote on rentmen's site about his experience with the "escort":
"Santos was unprofessional and completely uninterested. Worst of all, he stole from me during our session. I realized money was missing right after he left, and he ignored my messages. Stay away!"
 
 

Although it is psychologically difficult to cut someone off that once was an active attraction, it is clear that the guy will not treat you well in any future meeting.  Therefore, you should block him from your phone and ignore the door if he returns to your place to confront you.  
It is clear that he does not value your friendship except for money and valuables that he can scam from you in the future.  
Did you not notice his "rentmen" one star review (from a few months back) that told a negative story about him.  Here is the short narrative the reviewer wrote on rentmen's site about his experience with the "escort":
"Santos was unprofessional and completely uninterested. Worst of all, he stole from me during our session. I realized money was missing right after he left, and he ignored my messages. Stay away!"
 
 

Unfortunately, as much as your feelings are real, they are based on a lie.  He is an escort having sex for money and you are a client looking for acceptance and intimacy.  A great escort can fake intimacy for a long time, years, even a decade or more, but, a closer examination reveals that this kind of relationship is very one sided.  The money flows one way and most of the affection and attention flow the other way.  Escorts, for the most part, reveal just enough of themselves to make the experience you have with them have a basis in reality.  Ultimately, there is a lot you do not know, will never know and that, I am afraid, is the nature of these interactions.  There are exceptions.  Many of us, including myself, have thought that this is one of the real ones.  Ultimately, it is usually self delusion and the wishing for it to be so. 
As hard as it is, move on.  You are paying for a service and you are getting tsuris.   Translated from the Yiddish  Aggravation, Heatache.  

Sorry man, but you know the answer here. Time to move on.

Lately?  Does last February count as lately?
Four and one/half months ago, the place was as good as it usually is.
The only thing that I find odd or unpleasant is the unpredictability of when the place will be busy with escorts. 
Some days you go there in the afternoon and the place is busy.  Other times in the afternoon, it is nearly empty.  Usually, the place is not busy in the late evening.  
Sorry that I do not have a more recent report.  However, the place is great but the timing of when it is busy is unpredictable.  
This has been a trend for a few years.  
 

It's a sauna so yes, correct, as a client you are also expected (required actually) to wear only a towel. (whether you wear underwear under it or not is up to you. Most don't). 
You pay the entree fee, get a key with a locker number and go change. Once you are changed you go down the stairs where the working boys will be waiting or wandering around, and on the bottom most level there's a pool and bar. Some providers will approach you, some won't. If you see someone you like just say "Hey" to them and they will most likely lead the conversation.
Clearly state what you want to happen (suck their dick, have them suck you, get fucked, fuck them, kiss or not,...) and confirm these are things he offers or not (all providers have different limits and things they offer). The standard is 50 euro for one session, no matter what the activity (usually, with some exceptions noted later on), excluding the provider's ejaculation (if you want them to ejaculate, tell them as it's extra money, usually 50 euro extra). There are "strict" tops who sometimes propose to let you fuck them for double the money (so 100 instead of 50 euro for 1 session. I suggest to not do this as they are often not good at bottoming and to search for a true versatile or bottom provider).
If kissing is important to you, ask them to demonstrate to you how they kiss during the conversation. It's forward, yes, but a good kisser will happily oblige and it can save you from disappointment as I've had providers give halfhearted pecks once the session started (when I didn't ask them to show me before). 
A session lasts around 20 to 30 minutes (but you as the client should keep track. Most providers will make the session shorter if you don't). The rule of thumb is that it's 50 euro per 30 minutes. So if you were to engage a provider for one hour, it's expected you pay him 100 euro. But always confirm price and duration before starting the session. Some will (jokingly) ask for a tip beforehand, which I always politely decline. 
Once you've agreed on everything, it's time to start the session. For this you have 2 options. There are free cabins on the first basement, they have a fixed bench with thin mattresses on them. Some clients find them uncomfortable, for me they work fine. I suggest using the cabins on the left of the stairs (when facing with your back to the stairs) as these have better lighting in them and there are larger cabins. Just ask the provider to get you a larger cabin and they will look for it. Most of the time the larger cabins are in use by providers who are on break (smoking and chatting). 
You can also pay for a room. This is always by the hour and they come at various prices, depending on the size. All rooms have a full bed in them with linen and towels so the more expensive ones are simply larger. The comfort remains the same. The price list for the rooms is visible at the entry. 
After you are done with the session some providers will take a shower with you, some won't. Then you both go the top floor (street level) where the lockers are. You then get the money from your locker. The provider will be waiting for you in the bathroom next to the entrance (you can't miss it, it will be very clear where it is) and you give them the money there. I don't know why that is the spot but it's been that spot for as long as I've gone there. 
The providers don't mind it if you have your phone with you (I use it for Google translate).
If you had a great time with a provider, I suggest you buy them a drink at the bar (if they're not otherwhise engaged with another client). I find it nice chatting to the guys and getting to know them.
I totally understand one might be nervous going for the first time, but I've found that most everyone there (from the staff to the providers) are friendly and want to help you relax because happy, relaxed clients spend more money 😉
Ideal times to go are any day between 4pm and 8pm. The busiest days (with the largest number of providers, but also the most clients) are Friday and Saturday, same time (4pm till 8pm). Outside these hours there will rarely be providers in the sauna. 
Hope this helped! 

Lately?  Does last February count as lately?
Four and one/half months ago, the place was as good as it usually is.
The only thing that I find odd or unpleasant is the unpredictability of when the place will be busy with escorts. 
Some days you go there in the afternoon and the place is busy.  Other times in the afternoon, it is nearly empty.  Usually, the place is not busy in the late evening.  
Sorry that I do not have a more recent report.  However, the place is great but the timing of when it is busy is unpredictable.  
This has been a trend for a few years.  
 

- This is long so I’ve added headings to let you skip the parts that are boring.
Aknowledgments
I hope this is helpful for someone contemplating their first trip to Brazil. This is my way of giving back to the many people on here who helped me with their generous advice in the various postings. Thanks.
Please forgive the ramblings and injudicious assumptions of a neophyte and be kind in your comments.
Context
After 41 years I’m a widower trying to distract myself from the realities of living alone. I’m also a bit of a sex fiend so … what better distraction. I’m still in good shape for my age. About the same weight as when I was 25. Yes this was a trip to see the largest Pride Parade in the world but it was really a sex vacation - and I had a lot of it - in just five days!
The Trip
This was fast. I have two kids (cats) that I can’t leave for more than a week, so that limits my vacation. I like it short and intense anyway. 10h direct Toronto to SP overnight. Four days in SP. Morning flight to Rio. 24 hrs in Rio. Afternoon flight back to SP, change airports and overnight back to Toronto.
The Pride Parade
Yes it was spectacular. Worth seeing once. I’m glad I chose to stay where I did. Probably the only hotel with rooms overlooking Paulista. I could see the crowd without having to be in it. The room was overpriced but as a first timer it was safe, gringo friendly and couldn’t be better located. Next time there are really nice upscale (but cheap) AirBNBs in Consolação.
Safety
This issue has been done to death so I just add my brief experience. I have some tolerance for sketchy neighbourhoods but I’m fairly prudent (Toronto: the gay neighbourhood can be rough at night. Our homeless are often severely drug damaged and wild. LA: my introduction to the city in 1989 was driving in from LAX and meeting a fully armed take down in front of the old Spagos’ in West Hollywood. I was maintaining  a fibreoptic-switch at USC during the Rodney King riots. Amsterdam: in the 90’s I’d regularly cross Vondel park in the early hours). SP: I kept to Paulista, Consolação, Bella Vista, and a little Jardim. Mostly during the day although I often walked back from Lagoa in the evening. I didn’t have any safety concerns at all. Once (because I got my directions wrong) I ended up looking for an address in Republica in a very sketchy neighbourhood. NOT advised. I was in a more upscale part of Republica later (Aurora) but … if you must Uber in and out. Chili Pepper - just Uber in and out (hide your phone - it’s not difficult - I’d never go anywhere without it).
Rio: I think in planning I swapped hotels four times looking for a place for just one night - mostly over safety concerns. In the end I was right next to Copacabana Palace ( a place I would never stay at). The place I stayed was already to gringo overlord infested for my liking but as a first visit… I Ubered to Club 117 on the Tuesday night and on the Wednesday morning I walked the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches walking back one street in. At that time in the morning, if prudent, it appeared reasonably safe. There’s a lot more homeless here than in SP. Ipanema is quiet - very residential. Copacabana is all hotels, tourists and tourist hustle.
São Paulo: Espaço Lagoa
Wow! Kid in a candy store! And I was popping them like candies (or they were popping me). The numbers, the size, the girth - just amazing. The thing was, it wasn’t just their physical attributes, their beauty (omg Brazilian men are stunning) or the number of them but also their smiles and friendliness. I know it’s a business and they’re good at their jobs but I felt these guys were especially good at the “customer relations” side. They wanted you back; they wanted to build a relationship. I came back every day for four days and they were there hugging me. And part of that of course is that I’m a generous tipper. This is a very tough life and I can’t help it. I’m sure the news travelled (every day their price went up). The last day I only had time for three. They were all fabulous. They were beautiful and beautifully endowed. They performed with real passion, energy and aggression - really draining themselves. They may be good actors but they made it seem like the real thing to me. It was fun.
São Paulo: Chili Pepper
This was on the Sunday just after the Pride Parade. I probably got there too early although it was quite busy. Probably one of the nicest and largest saunas I’ve ever been in (maybe Hollywood Spa in LA or Thermos in Amsterdam). The layout sucks. All the rooms are at the back with next to zero traffic. Almost everyone (a predominantly Millennial and younger crowd) were concentrated in the 2nd floor dark area humping like rabbits. I scored two reasonable hits. In the end I’m not sure it’s a place for me.
Rio: Club 117
I went on a Tuesday, too early because I had a later appointment. Rooms were free. I really didn’t see enough to pass judgement. The sex I had was very good. Physically, technically excellent. It was however a bit robotic. There was a sense of trying to always encourage the extra fee, to maximize the revenue now without any interest that we might meet again. This is what I call the “tourist hustle” and It’s what Rio is all about. There’s little “client relationship” and it’s all about making as much now as possible. Maybe I’m being too harsh. I’ll see next time. 
RM & Garotocomlocal
There’s little of what’s available in Brazil on RM. A few of the upscale creators with northern links (Timtales) Good luck in trying to get a response from them. For most providers I think the subscription fees would be a killer. Grorocomlocal.com.br has 1028 providers listed for São Paulo and 458 for Rio de Janeiro. There is some form of certification and subscription but I’m not sure how much or how good it is. I don’t trust it that much - it’s a step up from BackPages but maybe not that much. I when to Brazil with the intent of hiring just like RM since I had no experience of places like Lagoa. I had a Brasilian number and communicated in Portuguese through WhatsApp. I put out requests to twelve providers. Seven never responded. Two asked for pictures (I sent my RM link). They ghosted me. I hired the remaining 3 with one ripping me off. In the end Lagoa is better and safer.
São Paulo vs Rio
- Caveat: I don’t go out walking at night so judge accordingly
So … I like big cities. I live in Canada’s mini-manhattan (haha). And SP is Manhattan writ large. I stuck to Paulista, Consolação, Bella Vista and a little bit of Jardim. All very walkable - provided you don’t mind hills. That took me by surprise. I knew the areas quite well from studying the maps except I didn’t understand there were so many damn hills! It’s like San Francisco. In fact there’s a real feel of that in Jardim. Other parts feel like LA. There’s a funkiness about the restaurants and bars in Consolação (the gayborhood) that isn’t either. The people are friendly but don’t expect a lot of English. Yes there are probably a lot of tourists there but it’s so damn big it doesn’t influence the city at all. Security is everywhere. It must be the biggest industry in Brasil. Even the smallest retailer ha a security guard. Military Police cars are cruising along Paulista every two minutes. Not so much beyond, however.
Rio is tourists. Copacabana is wall to wall hotels on one side and tourists stalls on the other. As a result English is more common although not really anymore common among the gorotos. Ipanema is much more residential with only  a few hotels. The condos are immaculately kept and all hermetically sealed behind secure walls and cameras. Being there, close to boteco Belmonte, would be ideal. I left feeling like I should have stayed longer and seen more. I still feel that way but I feel like it’s likely to be one and done. I don’t see it as a regular destination. I’m intrigued by Salvador. As my old friend Nelson Freire used to say “o tempo dirá” - time will tell.

Things To Look Out For
* Be careful as a pedestrian in SP and Rio. The crossings aren’t well indicated and where they are just because you have a green light doesn’t mean the cars will give you right of way. Stay alert!
* ATMs appeared to be more aggressively scalping you than I remember in Europe. Their exchange rate is ridiculously low and they tack on a hefty fee if you refuse and use your bank’s. Try and take cash with you. (I did but I got greedy and needed more. In some situations, however, greed was good).
* I didn’t get to explore much in Rio but I never came across an ATM or a bank (security?). Thankfully there was an ATM in my hotel. In SP (of course I was staying on Paulista) they were everywhere.
* Generally food is not spectacular. It’s like one big Denny’s. It’s serviceable. There are plenty of Michelin starred restaurants to try but I’m not good at eating alone in a restaurant and without the language …
* Carry a power bank! The last thing you want is to be stuck with a phone running out of charge. It’s your life line (Uber is your friend).
* They were starting to install contactless bank payment at the metro Consolação. Soon all major cities will have this so no need for specific metro passes.
Things I Would Change
* Spend more time in Rio. The place is magical and despite the limitations (see above) there’s a lot of good sex to be had. You can be prudent without being paranoid.
* Never try to change airports in SP in one day. Leave yourself room if you have to do it. It’s too nerve racking.
* Learn at least rudimentary Portuguese. I had tried but .. Google Translate only takes you so far. It’s tough to use when you get a WhatsApp from one provider while getting fucked by another.
 

Very well said and accurate.