Recent Revels in Rio

[Guest pshaw]

Unless you really have a need, I have found that it is best to leave the laptop at home. It's another piece of luggage, a tempting target for thieves, and a pain going through security. Outside of the major wealthy nations, most people can't afford computers and internet cafes are quite widespread.

 

I know that in Thailand you can hardly walk a block without tripping over an internet cafe, usually with very cheap rates (typically around 2-3 cents a minute). In addition to seeing people doing the usual web-surfing, sending email to farang boyfriends and playing computer games, you find them watching rental movies on video CDs.

[Guest Jaunty]

I awakend this morning and pinched myself again. Here I am, halfway around the globe, alone in this wonderful city, and having the time of my life. It is an even bigger stretch that I am sharing this with the world via this post . . . .

 

Yes, Toto, we aren´t in the states anymore . . . this really is a gay disney-fantasy world with penny candy store prices!! It really is as amazing as other writers have shared.

 

By chance another poster from Europe was here about the same time. We overlapped for four days. My first night in town, we met at Estacao. (Station) The entrance drill seemed almost familar due to the excellent info posted here. Just past the entrance desk there was a young man with a friendly smile wagging the biggest cock I have ever seen! Since I´m not a size queen this didn´t bowl me over, but I can be impressed . . .

 

Language Lessons:

 

I remember the tedium of high school latin class . . Well, language lessons here are nothing like that! Imagine sitting in the gay bar of your dreams; filled with gorgeous men, all of us uniformly attired in skimpy white towels, and your eye contact is ALWAYS returned . .

You and the hot man nest to you are trying to improve your language skills in your respective languages. You are motivated, he is motivated, and he is also motivated to reinforce your learning with a trip upstairs for language lab.

}> Miss Mulrey must be turning over in her grave! Agricola cum . . .

 

English skills are very rare in the termas. A few basic words here and there. Portuguese seems like a cross between spanish and Italian with many words identical or very similar. BUT, it is the pronunciation that is the challenge. Lots of sh and ch and y sounds where you least expect them. Luckly, it is easy to become adept at the language of amor and sexo, (if you aren´t already) I digress. .

 

 

To return to my grand entrance . . . (we all know how to make one, don´t we??) After donning towel and sandals, the next room is the bar, a medium sized centrqal room in the former house. About four bar stools and four tables. We aren´t talking huge here. All the more reason to get close to the numerous handsome men lounging about. Especially that very handsome, muscle hunk across the room smiling at me. Remembering the posted advice about the first few high pressure types likely to be found at the entrance and locker room, like fire hose boy, I had made it this far and fell for this smiling hunk. In less time than I takes to tell, we were upstairs in a cabine. His name is John and my experience with him was almost a duplicate of man #2 who is even More gorgeous.:7 It seems to be an almost universal law that the more beautiful the man, the less passionate and involved with you. I suspect that both are gay for pay and their performance was dutiful and adequate but hardly inspired. If this was a review of a stateside escort in the 150-300 range, he would be justly panned for attitude and coldness. However, economics rears its head . . . I spent about 30 minutes each with my idea of perfect male beauty. They gave kisses and head in a limited manner, and a brief 2-3 minute fuck. Given the price of about $22 US (plus airfare) It was a great intro to in ins and outs of sex play in the saunas. More on this later . . .

 

It is getting late and I can´t decide which one tonight . .

[robbguy]

hi,jaunty,

i'll be in rio in october and am really excited about going, and reading about your experiences makes it all the more enticing. i have a couple of questions for you. do you have a laptop with you or are you using a cyber cafe to communicate through? i am really unsure about bringing my laptop. also, which saunas have you visited and which do you consider the best? i keep doing searches online using the word "acompanhantes" (brazilian for escort) and have come up on some pretty interesting sites. and have been trying to learn some portuguese from language tapes. it is a tough language to start from scratch with. please continue to share your experiences with us. thanks and enjoy! robbguy

[Guest Tomcal_]

When I was there in April I brought my laptop, but easier and MUCH cheaper to use the Internet cafes(there were at least 5 in Copa area and another 1/2 dozen in Ipenema area)I am going back in Aug and again in Oct., but plan to leave the laptop at home! the hotels charge $1.00 per minute access even for local internet numbers.

[+ Axiom2001]

Thanks for your take on your early experiences while in Rio. Apparently October in Rio is going to be swinging (in more ways than one)! I, too, am planning to venture to this beautiful land with the gorgeous men during this month. Perhaps we in this forum or at this site can meet up for drinks/lunch somewhere. Keep in touch, guys!

AX-

[Guest Jaunty]

To continue:

 

I was about to make one of those glittering generalities which I should have learned by now to avoid. Something to the effect that that I had the greatest experiences with the gay guys who might not be the absolute best bodies or faces, but were the best, most passionate lovers. But after last night . . . . I'd have to eat those words . . . more on this thread later.

 

To wrap up my first evening at Estacao, I went for variety. The first two were my favorite muscle types but a bit lacking in energy, passion and enthusiasm. So I went for the ever popular Bruno. Youthful, smiling, european looking, Mr. energy, at least in public. In private he turned out to be even more so !!! I lost count of the number of fucking positions. He was so good as a top, I didn't even bother to ask if he wanted to flip. He even volutarily came in a burst of glory. (it was later in the evening) The only downside was it didn't last too long. Kinda like a skyrocket, wonderful but fleeting. The fine art of cuddling in the afterglow isn't terribly common, but I'm getting better at selecting the really affectionate sweethearts.

 

As with the other reviews, you need to match this information along side my preferences. At the risk of stating the obvious: Reviewers who are primarily oral are going to have one take on a guy, another reviewer who is a hot hunk in his prime will have another type of experience, etc. I'm tall, lean, reasonably well kept for my age, but I'm well over 50 and no 20 somethings wet dream. Something of a typical patron in the termas. If you are sexy, in your prime, you will stand out like a shark ina school of minnows, and receive special attention from the boys. Not to say that the rest of us will lack from attention from them. In fact the attention can be a bit overwhelming. Many times in the course of an evening, the number of boys will substantially outnumber the clients. It's a buyers market! I need to learn to say in Portuguese, "So many men, so little time. or I need a few minutes to rest and recuperate."

 

My preferences lean towards men, late 20-early 30, muscular, especially pecs, gymnast or light bodybuilder type, and a great face. Very important is kissing, affection, a sense of play, energetic variety in foreplay building to a hot intense fuck, with me as either top or bottom depending on the situation.All this takes time of course and by the end of the first hour I'm just beginning to fly. Things not of great importance: cock size, hair, color. and I have played outside these limits with great results.

 

The moment of truth came at the exit with the presentation of the bill. The man behind the desk, knowing full well I was a newbie, couldn't help but laugh when he saw the total of R 106 !!

 

The next night was on to Club 117. It was a Friday night and if you can arrange it, make your first visit there on a Friday or Saturday night. The large bar was filled with some of the most gorgeous men, every where I looked. The testosterone level was off the chart. And they all returned my covetous glances . . .

 

Seeking Anderson: to be continued . . .

:9

[Guest Rough2FF]

Hi Jaunty,

well, here is the other european guy you used to mention in your earlier post;-) .

I hope you are having the time of your life down there and have you met Julio in the meantime? If yes, tell him hello from me.

Keep in touch!

[Guest Jaunty]

Seeking Anderson:

 

Imagine all the famous waterholes you ever heard of: The bar at the End of the Universe, the Bar at the Follies Bergere (where is spel chek when you need it?)and other times and places. Well,for a gay man, the bar at Club 117 in Rio (and reportedly Termas Lagoa in Sao Paulo) is THE PLACE and the time is NOW, and I was there!! If you have a twinge of libido in your soul you won't need that viagara for a while yet. Hot men anxious to meet you everywhere you look!!

 

Remembering well the previous lessons about choosing too quickly, I was rather focused upon seeking out Anderson, who was recommended highly by TomCal. (This was to come back and bite me in a curious fashion.)Fending off the wonderful amorous advances of Reynaldo; I saw someone who looked a bit like his foto across the room. He was slouched over slightly and didn't really stand out amoungst the bevy of beauties, at least at a distance. He finally looked in my direction, we exchanged meaningful glances and my towel was flapping in the breeze after excusing my self from my fellow poster and traveler who I had met the night before. I moved smartly across the room & sat down next to him and we began to chat. (this was before magazine spread came out)Anderson, in Portuguese, comes out something like Andresshoan. His english wasn't quite as good as I had hoped but way better than my portuguese, and everything else was wonderful. Great smile, charm, a certain gleam in his eyes that led me to propose a cabine upstairs. Well sports fans, what followed was 2 hours of the hottest sex I have ever experienced!

}>

He is a dynamo of erotic energy. From the second kiss (bejaiir segundo) it was balls to the wall intensity, as if I was the most desireable man he had ever met! After his first fucking screaming orgasm he collapsed into my arms, both of us drenched in sweat and we basically passed out for 5-10 minutes,( wasn't really watching the clock!) and then he started all over again! Whoaaah!! We went way over time and I was MORE than happy to pay him a double fee. I'm not a great fan of sweat but he could change my mind! Somehow, I'm not sure how, I floated downstairs to the bar and rejoined "F" at a table with the ever smiling Anderson in tow (or was it the other way around?) My contributions to the smart chatter were limited to something like hamahamahama . . . and I was smiling broadly too. With his usual grace and charm, Anderson excused himself and disappeared. Soon the lights dimmed, the music started and a dancer appeared, clad in baggy white pants, jacket, and chef's hat, and a clever strip commenced. Say doesn't the dancer look a lot like . .?

ANDERSON !! Just a few minutes before he had been very vigorously fucking my brains out for an extended period of time and he was now stripping and dancing with the same familar vigor. In the immortal words of the Tom Lerher song: "Revealing for all of the others to see, just what it was that endeared you to me . . " Superman lives!

 

This was a wonderful reverse twist: How many times have we watched a really hot body dancing on stage and wished we could experience all the suggested pleasures of that fabulous frame? Well I had, just a few minutes before! And now the magazine spread comes out and I knew him "back when".

 

I have basically alternated back and forth between Estacao and Club 117 every night! Except for tonight for a hot date with Ernani. "Home Entertainment"will be cont. . . . .

 

It was easy at first to write off Estacao as second rate in comparison to 117. But it is handy, only 4 blocks from apartment, and there are some wonderful men there. .

 

The weather has been fabulous. Thermometers (and calendars) aren't common and the humidity distorts my sense of temperature, but I would guess days in 78-82 range and nights untle midnight about 70-74 F.

Lots of people on the beach. More on the beach scene later.

 

I'm typing this in an internet cafe on Copacobana Blvd.,(one block off the beach) one of 2 about 3-6 blocks north of the Copa Palace Hotel. Rates seem to vary widely, but quite cheap. 3-8.5 reales per hour. Current street/bank exchange rate is 2.6 R to the US $. do the math. The 50 Reales note has come to have a certain significance to me.

 

Since my rambling narratives haven't even completed my second day, you have probably guessed by now that I'm sliding further behind current doings. I'll bring things up to date when I return. I may not post again from Rio. I really did enjoy reading others travel adventures over morning coffee and thought I would attempt to do the same. Hope I haven't been too wordy.

 

For those of you still working on lodgings, try: http://www.latelet.com.br

[Guest Rough2FF]

Jaunty my dear,

could you please retype this "lodging" URL?!

http://www.latelet.com.br doesn't seem to work....You know what? allthough I've just returned from there I am already on planning to go back in 3 weeks for another 12 days!!

I just can't resist - and folks everything jaunty writes down here so lust- and colourfull is true! I have nothing to add.;-)

[Guest Jaunty]

Moderators:

 

What happened to my latest post on this thread which I submitted circa 6AM PCT, Monday, 17th? If I exceeded some limitations of taste or length, please advise. I know you are volunteers, and if you are swamped and haven't been able to get to it, please accept my apologies.

 

However I am feeling a bit uneasy since several more recent entries have ben posted. The one bulletin I don't want to hear is that it got lost in the shuffle somehow. I spent WAY too much time making a complex situation understandable and fun.

[+ deej]

Jaunty,

 

There's nothing stuck in the queue and to my knowledge nothing has been deleted.

 

The most common reason for a post not "making" it is clicking "Preview" instead of "Post Message". (It happens to me from time to time, too.)

 

I don't know of any length limitation, although there almost certainly is one just because of the nature of http transmissions. I do know there is a length limitation on subject and the software will disallow a post that exceeds that length. Is it possible you exceeded the message length and missed the alert? (Just casting around ideas here.)

 

IAC, it's gone.

[Guest Jaunty]

I was really fortunate to have the first 4 days of my trip overlap with that of a fellow poster from Austria, "FF". We planned to meet my first night at Estacao. Would you believe, I was already upstairs in a cabine when he arrived? Something he never let me forget . . . We had a great time sharing adventures, cab rides, MEN . . and it was great to float downstairs from the cabine and sit down in the bar and compare notes. I'm sure the boys compare notes about us too.

 

Make connections with others erotic explorers who happen to be in town. It really adds to the fun. Meet for lunch at Maxim's on Atlantico just 2 blocks south of Copa Palace. Ask specifically for Oscar the waiter, who speaks english, is a great source of info, and is popular with the gay American expat community there. Thursday is his only day off.

 

Back to Gloria Terma

Club 117 is on a quiet street with a large vertical brightly lit sign proclaiming itself. I would have no qualms about riding the subway here in the afternoon. After dark, a taxi for the return trip is probably better. The average trip to Copa was 10.5-12 R, depending on traffic. On 2 occasions I was short about 20 centavos and the driver said never mind and then thanked me! Can you imagine that in this country? Less than the meter fare, no tip, and the driver thanks you?? in english?

 

When you open the street door to club 117, you are faced with a long passage way sloping upward decorated in vaguely neo classic theme. The second door is locked and you ring a buzzer. Fear not: no password, no 20 questions in Portuguese. The door is unlocked and in you go. The entry hall, decorated in men, has the stairway to heaven onleft and office on right. Just give your name, receive locker key, and that's it until settlement time. Before you leave office, notice the bulletin board behind you as you stand at the counter. Fotos, especially 3 on left, unlabeled dancer, I think his name is Pablo. More on him later.

 

The facilities at 117 are by far the best in town. At least 4 times the square footage of the others, the cabines are large rooms with private bath, the fun round beds w/sheets, and 3 of the suites have a special upholstered narrow bench with a concave top with one end at crotch level. Fucking fun furniture! Ah the benefits of an advanced culture! I've already forgotten the name . . carvalhino?

 

Now it is down the stairs to the locker room. There is always at least 3 hunks leaning against the railing and you get a wonderful view of them, especially if you are fond up looking up at masculine muscle. Reality pays a visit as you crack you skull on the low overhead at the base of the stairs!

 

Just inside the door was Reynaldo, the house masseur. A previous poster had spoken very highly of him. Like a giant puppy, he followed me down to the locker room. The attendant supplys 2 towels,sandals, and shows you to your locker. a 2-5 R tip is good policy. Reynaldo offered to take me on a tour of the facilities. This was like no other guided tour . . . Fantasy Land . . . At every stop of architectural interest, there were kisses, nibbles, fondling, . . . the huge sauna seco was especially fun. But I was determined to seek out Anderson, as I related earlier, and I attemped to put the amorous Reynaldo on hold.

 

International Relations; part one.

 

There is a fine balancing act or dance that we engage in with the boys. We are certainly entitled to learn something about them, what they like to do, and if we will be a good fit.:9

 

Buying drinks and food during this process, while a nice polite gesture, doesn't pay the rent. I inadvertantly strayed over the line here and took up way too much of Reynaldo's time, although my intentions were honorable and I did plan to engage him later, this isn't the way it played out.

 

The Other Dancer:

Remember the photos on the bulletin board? After the ever popular Anderson did his number, another dancer made his appearance. I think his name was Pablo, maybe paolo, or P??? I never saw him before, and after his exit, I never saw him again. More research guys . .

This man is so stunningly beautuful and sexy as to defy description. Light skin, black hair, heavy eyebrows, BIG round eyes (blue?)and a body . . . . well it's a good thing I was sitting down!! The next guy down there has to do some under towel sleuthing.

 

Disappointing Duo: to be continued

 

Feedback Time: This is turning into an epic, far longer than I imagined. Is anyone enjoying it or is it repeated redundancy all over again?

[Guest pshaw]

I'm enjoying your tale quite a bit, but I hope the finale occurs before my June 29 departure for Rio. I don't want to miss any vital information. :-)

[Guest Jaunty]

DISAPPOINTING DUO

 

A regular feature of the bar at Club 117 is their version of Bingo. They pass out pens and bingo papers, (be careful to keep them dry)and then they start calling out numbers. The first person to complete a row wins a free cabine.:-) Then the first person to fill up the entire card wins a free boy!}>

 

Ahhhh, but it isn't that simple . . that pronunciation thing again. I can count in spanish, but many portuguese numbers are incomprehensible. I never did learn to say 18 and that was my street address! TIP: Write down addresses and bring them with you every time you go out; both destination and return address. You may think you are pronouncing the hotel or street with perfect clarity, but the cab driver won't! Saves a lot of time and hassle.

 

Back to Bingo: This means you need a translator at your side to play this game. Hmmm . . not such a bad rap . .another sexy language lesson; but it did turn out to have a down side. It used up a lot of time.

 

By this time FF & I had connected with Gil, a nice guy, slightly plain face and beautiful body who spoke decent english, probably the best in the place. Gil was great, readily translating all sorts of things, and making the whole exchange pleasant, because the bingo was beginning to drag on. The empty chair at the table was filled by Johnnie, an Italian looking man with massive shoulders and pecs. ooh Here I go again! I was ready to go upstairs, Reynaldo had disappeared, and I only needed one or two numbers to win the grand prize. FF was doing well with his card also. Finally there was a 4 way tie and the finalists were invited up onto the stage for a tie breaker. I was one of them. All I could think of was: If I win, do I have to stand here in front of everyone and make my choice? What a scene!! It didn't play out that way, but it was fun to think about!

 

By now, Johnnie was putting the serious make on me, and Gil was advancing on the other side. They had spent a lot of time with me; Johnnie looked like the more show than go type, but he was gorgeous and Gil was sweet, so maybe the two would balance out . . .? Anyone detect some flawed reasoning here? A sense of obligation is not the best foundation for erotic play.

 

Once in the cabine, it turned out that sweet Gil didn't kiss and only did oral one way, with a condom on him. (I forgot to ask) Johnnie attempted a few dry kisses, and at one point I was on the bed looking up at both of them stroking themselves. Not exactly bamboo splints under the fingernails,they are beautiful, but not terribly hot stuff either; especially since they weren't relating to each other or to me. They had there eyes closed and were making it look like work, getting themselves hard. Can we call that hard work?

 

Maybe I could make this work yet if I could get a tag team going here!! (Hope springs eternal in the human loins) Johnnie short-circuited that idea. After about 2 minutes of fucking he staged the loudest, hammy, theatrical fake orgasm I ever saw!! Gil filled in with a little affection but it was time to fold the tent. It certainly had been a varied evening! But it wasn't over yet . . . .

 

Settling Accounts: to be continued

 

Home Entertainment:

 

Top Banana:

 

Junior Tom of Finland:

[Guest Ernani]

Hey, do you by chance know where can I find escorts over-40 ?

I know it's a unusual question, but if you know, just tell me, ok ?

By the way, I'm a hustler also.

Glad to know you had fun, John. Jerk off thinking of me.

Um abraço

[Guest Jaunty]

Settling Accounts:

Down in the locker room the by now familar payment protocol unfolded. A 50R bill passed descretely, usually in the process of a hug and kiss, accompanied by gestures and words of appreciation and thanks. Obrigado. But for some reason Johnnie thought he deserved more. Gil was ok with the arrangement, but Johnnie launched into a long outburst,which was incomprehensible to me. I happened to look over his shoulder at this point and noticed the locker room attendant rolling his eyes and making a very subtle NO gesture to me. So with 2 of the locals more or less siding with me, I felt justified in saying no.

 

It was time to go, FF was ready,Gil asked if we would drop him off in Botafogo on the way back to Copa, which was just fine, another way to show appreciation for his translating efforts. Gil gave us his phone # and offered to play tour guide if we were interested. We didn't take him up on that, but I'm confident he would be great and he is available during the weekday, which Ernani is not. Naturally, you would want to establish time and rates in advance.

 

Went into the office to check out and there was Johnnie. With Gil acting as interpetor the details finally became clear. The clubs charge the boys admission fees, and at 117 it is a stepped charge.

If the boy arrives before a certain time the fee is 5R but after something like 7:30 the charge is 20R. Johnnie had arrived late, I guess I was his only client, which meant his net for the evening was only going to be 30R. And he wanted me to pay his 20R tab. Everyone in the office was pretending not to be listening, but . . . Tough decision, I was feeling very much on the spot, and I refused his request. A questionable decision.

 

I settled my tab and we headed out the door and I was suddenly hit by a little paranoia. If Johnnie was really angry with me, he could be waiting outside . . . . that 20R might have been a good health insurance policy !! Fears were groundless, but I did appreciate the company of FF, and 2 of the boys walking down the street toward the cab stand.

 

Paying the Piper:

 

A few posters have questioned the accuracy of accounting and my experience was that relatively small errors are the rule rather than the exception. Estacao is especially chaotic, with little slips of paper passed through a window to the front desk. One night, just as a test, I didn't have anything from the bar. (tough to do) Sure enough, there was a 5R bar charge, but when I calmly stated I had nothing at the bar it was immediately taken off. Attitude is everything here. Be polite, smiling and just establish that you like an explanation of the bill. It does get complex because almost every night there is some sort of promotion. First cabine half price, etc. 117 has a computerized system and especially complex pricing. Sometimes there is a 5R charge for using credit card. Sometimes the special pricing only applys when you pay cash, etc. And there are modest charges, 2.5R for condoms and lube,at both places.

 

TIP: bring a small container of strategic supplies. lube,(lots) condoms,breath mints, pencil and paper, (trick pads are unknown) maybe a small camera, etc. and while your man of the hour is getting key to cabine, go to locker and get your supplies and bring upstairs with you.

 

Another Tip: The pencil and paper is really important if you want to remember someone's name. It's the pronounciation thing again. Their name could be Sam or Henry or Jimmy but if you don't recognize the collection of sylables, you will never remember it. Example:very sweet cute younger guy at 117, gay, versitle, not a muscle man or GQ face, but a real sweetheart.(highly recommended) When he whispered his name in my ear it sounded like OOO-Go. Exotic, I thought, maybe reflecting deep ethnic family roots. . . well sort of . . . writing it out revealed his name to be Hugo Muller (complete with umlaut)

 

Another interesting guy at 117 with a name that sounded like Shameeee, which took me 2 days to figure out was Jimmy!

 

Yet another Tip: Take notes.Very Useful:whether to share with us here or stir your own memory banks. I wondered about previous reviewers who said they had trouble remembering names and sequences. Now I understand.

 

Home Entertainment: to be continued.

[Guest Jaunty]

Home Entertainment:

My motivation for renting an apartment was to get one step away from the tourist circuit and a tiny bit closer to living in Rio as the locals see it. That was a success.

 

As a much better place to bring playmates, I'm not convinced. There is still the security hassle. Every Apartment house has a guardian of the gate, 24/7, and they will make things a little difficult. The difference with a hotel: There isn't an extra charge but the hotel clerks speak english, apartment guards do not.

 

Another factor: Hotels rooms have safes or strong boxes for valuables, most apartments do not.

 

I only invited back to apartment people I trusted completely: Ernani & Anderson.

 

Ernani: All the wonderful things said about him are true. Great guy. Intelligent, accomplished, friendly, hot and passionate! Who could ask for anything more? We had 2 sessions together and he was terrific. Make him a part of your trip plans. He was also very helpful in translating and a few other projects, one of which was:

 

Bruno Gaucho update:

 

Just the Facts: He was out of town the last 20 days of May. As of Sunday, 9 June, the voice mail boxes on both of his telephone lines were filled to capacity and not taking any more messages.

 

 

 

:-(

[LAShowbiz]

Thank you everyone (especially TomCal and Jaunty) for all the great info/stories about Rio. I am venturing there myself for the first time in August for two weeks.

 

However, something in Jaunty's last post has made me a little uneasy. That whole story about Johnnie and the extra 20R has made me think about other posts that I should have responded to earlier but kept it bottled up.

 

It seemed to me that Jaunty didn't want to pay the extra 20R for a legitimate reason.... it seems like he felt he was being "hustled". If that's the case, I totally agree with him... pay whatever you feel comfortable with. However, there's been other posts that have somewhat discouraged "overtipping".

 

This is what I would like to address before my journey to Rio. Is "overtipping" a bad thing? I don't think so. I've been involved in the service industry for years... "tipping" is a great thing. However, there have been numerous posts/comments that we should not overtip in the saunas. Tipping generously is certainly not a crime, but some comments make it seem like a Class C Felony!! Seriously!!

 

Am I in the minority here? I'm really not trying to start an attacking debate, but if I PERSONALLY want to give a rentboy an extra 50R (100R total) or the towelboy 10R for good service, am I really doing an injustice to the other "buyers" or "local Brazilian men"??

 

I mean, seriously.... if I gave a rentboy an extra 50R for a great session.... for pete's sakes, that's ONLY $22 US dollars!! Still, the total is only approximately $40. Heck, I gave my waitress a $25 tip last night off a $120 dinner bill... and all she did was bring me a couple drinks and a plate of food. Doesn't hot passionate sex warrant a better tip than that? Ugh, this is so frustrating just thinking about it.

 

I guess I'm used to "American" standards. When you've hired a US escort at $200 and had a good time, wasn't a $30-50 tip reasonable? I know most disagreers will say "Yes, but this is Brazil... a very poor third world country... they only make 200R per month"...

 

But seriously, am I stupid or a bad person to want to make their day a little nicer? Maybe just sympathetic. Is it wrong to expect Americans to be a little more generous since we are considerably wealthier as a whole?

 

By all means, I'm not really trying to pontificate the matter. I'm not trying to put myself on a pedastal by being a generous person. Heck, I'm guilty of EXPLOITING the matter myself 'cause part of the reason I'm choosing Rio over other cities is because of the strong American dollar. Heck... a hot boy like Bruno Gaucho or Anderson for a ridiculously low price of $22.... what red-blooded, gay American male wouldn't jump at the chance at that?

 

But...

 

Once we're there, is it really THAT bad to be a bit generous? I'd really like to get some honest feedback. I may be in the minority, but I really hope that minority isn't that small....

[Traveller]

I've never tipped in Rio, but dude, you're totally right in that the total cost is only 50R (or about US$22, like you've said) or 75R if you want to top them (and their tight little bi butts), so what the fuck if you shell out an extra 50R for a tip if it makes you feel better. If you've already made it Rio, I can only hope that the additional twenty won't break the bank.

 

Later.

 

PS. The dancers I got at Le Boy were a smidge more than 50R, but they were generally at lot better than the guys in the saunas; and I had no trouble getting any of them into the Copa Palace. No small feat in itself.

[firecat]

Traveller, did I miss your post on the boys at LeBoy. Please tell us about them and how you picked them up.

[Guest ortrud45]

LAShowbiz:

 

I travel 3-4 times a year to Sao Paolo on average and I'm an avid visitor/fan of LAGOA and FRAGATA. As in Rio the fee for a boy/man is Reais 50.--

The boys never expect to be tipped.

Once, for the same reasons you are giving in your post I was inclined to tip a man who provided a real hot experience, too. I was standing at my opened locker and retrieved a fifty-, plus a ten Reais-bill as

a tip. A local patron who was just nearby must have observed it, came by, intoduced himself and asked me politely why I was going to pay more than the usual price. We had thereafter an amiable discussion about this topic at the bar (lukily for my sake he spoke English). I

spent two hours with him and he gave me a lot of insight about the

"how it works" in these saunas and pointed out to me some facts which I never would have observed by myself. Of course it helped that he was a regular and knew a lot of the boys.

 

Views and advice of the local patron:

 

- for R 50.-- you are entitled to have a real good experience, basta;

it's a lot of money. And a good guy, known for his quality-service

is at least making 3 appointments when visiting a sauna, the best

succeed in making 4-5 johns at one visit! Math: R 150-250 a day!

- If a guy is just phenomenal and meets all your expectations or even

exceeds them, tip him R 5.--, but not more.

- When you contact a guy you fancy and discuss together what you want/

expect and what he is ready to deliver and he states a higher price

than R 50.-- .... avoid him and just walk away. If he states R 50,

but praises himself to be an especially hot stud and tells you a

story that clients always tip him, walk away, because it's untrue.

Or he has just singled you out as a foreigner and tries to take ad-

vantage of you. He will take the money, but will not respect you!

- During our talk a very hot guy came by to say bye-bye to the local

patron: I was introduced and got quite smitten with this charming

stud with smoldering eyes. When he left my adviser told me that he

just had had a session with him, that the guy was happy to have sco-

red right away at the usual fee and was leaving for home now.

At my question why, for heaven sake he was already leaving, I got

the following explanation: there are two categories of boys at these

places. Those who are selling everyday and those who have a job and

do it on the side, once or twice a week only. If the guy is married,

this extra money is usually to round up his pocket-money or to cover

some special expenses.

- My adviser pointed out that as a general rule the guys working part-

time only are the hotter ones (of course with exceptions). He asked

me about my sexual predilections and recommended me thereafter a few

guys.

 

I have to admit that I am unable to reiterate all he told me (there

was more), but his advice proved to be very good.

 

Since then I tip R 5.-- if a guy is phenomenal, when he is just good,

he gets his R 50.--

And trust me, LAShowbiz, I got hugs, kisses, big happy smiles and lots of thank-you's when tipping R 5.

 

SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR INITIAL QUESTION IS A DEFINITE NO, don't tip

R 50.-- on top of the fee!

 

There was only one occasion I tipped a guy R 20.-- : he is a fantas- tic top, but gives good head and kisses like a dream. After about two years and about four sessions at the baths he unexpectedly wanted to get topped. I was totally surprised and to see thereafter the mix of expectation and a bit of reluctance about his first time getting fucked on his face was out of this world. It was a mindblowing and

touching situation/experience.

 

Hope this helps. Best regards and have a wonderful stay in Rio!

[Guest Rough2FF]

As I've been down there with jaunty this time in Rio, I totally agree

with ortruds opinion about tipping. The more you tip the guys, the more they lose respect and you just testify the image americans got down there anyway - nice, rich, but a little bit stupid! ;-)

Besides of that I think, local habits and habits of the local must be considered and respected.

[Guest Jake]

I,too, am now a fairly regular visitor to Brazil (heading back next week), both Rio and Sao Paulo, and have a slightly different standard than has been mentioned. For a moderate to good session, a pay the standard $R50, for an extra good session I tip $R10, for an outstanding experience $R20 and certainly I have my few favorites who tend not to be regulars but whose phone numbers I have and will happily come to the Termas, or to my hotel, by appointment. I'm very happy, they're very happy.

 

I have only had two of the boys - who, by the way, had been very average sessions - attempt to hustle me for more money. I refused with no misgivings.

 

On another note, I saw a suggestion that you should not expect them to cum unless you pay $R100. Nonsense. With minor exception, they have always cum without question and the exceptions tried like hell but it was late in their days and I was not disappointed.

[Guest Jaunty]

The contact for the apartment I rented:

mario_cezar@hotmail.com or

 

riopridetour@hotmail.com

 

In addition to renting apartments, he runs a tour service for gay men at Gay Pride and Carnivale time.

 

He was straightforward and dependable, very patient with my endless questions, and represented the aparto fairly,and a good guy. It was $50 US per night and included a hard wired phone, which I understand is very unusual and was a very handy feature. In a great location.

 

Beach Scene:

 

If your image of a tropical beach is secluded, quiet, sprinkled with fellow tourists waited upon by white jacketed resort employees . . .

Well baby, FORGET IT! This is a vital. living part of the city. The Cariocas LOVE their beach and use it for every imaginable purpose 365 days a year. And they are gracious enough to share it with us.Visitors never seem to number more than about 2%. At close intervals along the wavy mosaic pattern of Copa beach sidewalk are refreshment stands with a few tables and umbrellas, called kiosks. One of the great delights of Rio is to sit here and drink in the great beauty, both geographical and human, and drink cold coconut milk or beer. The beer, (chopp) will set you back the princely sum of 1.2R (about 50cents) unless you are at the rainbow kiosk where it will cost 50% more.

 

My favorite men watching activity is at the volleyball nets. They play a version that combines volleyball and soccer rules, which means: NO HANDS:o The serve is kicked off a mound of sand and the proper technique for returning the serve is to throw back shoulders,extend chest, and bounce that ball off the pecs! If you love muscular male chests like I do, you better be sitting down!

 

Hang your Clothes on a Hickory Limb, but Don't Go Near the Water!

One of Rio's dirty little secrets is the near total absense of waste water treatment. The raw sewage is piped some 10-12 kilometers out to sea with some of the pipelines running under the toniest beaches, like Ipanema. Now, 10-12 kilometers is a long way out, and the currents supposedly carry it southward, but it didn't do a lot for my enthusiasm to go swimming. Most everyone stays on the sand anyway, unless it is really hot. Gorgeous men everywhere you look. Standard attire is a fairly conservative cut speedo, with black & navy being most common colours.

 

Other Perils in Paradise:

 

The man next to me on the flight out had the latest issue of the Brasilian, english language edition of NEWSPEAK. The cover story was the Dengue Fever outbreak. It wasn't pretty. A half million cases, 50% of those in Rio! 82 deaths to date. Petty bickering amoung officials: are they federal mosquitos or municipal mosquitos? Political posturing: the new Director of Public Health said: He's not worried, everything is fine . . . . but no evidence of the commitment of resources to mount an effective eradication campaign.

 

"Brasilian plumbing is a little weird" One of Uncle Tri's classic comments. Much of Copa was built in the 20's, reinforced concrete bldgs with elevators,electricity and single pipe water systems. Very moderne at the time. The only simple remedy for our modern taste for warm showers is to use electric heaters in the shower heads. Now the subtle refinement of a 45 degree angle on the shower head seems to have escaped most plumbers, so the standard drill is a shower head pointing straight down. I don't know about you, but I have a little trouble sluicing out the armpits without performing a rather graceless limbo like movement. I was doing just this at Estacao, in the shower just off the locker room, when my elbow came into contact with the multivolt shower head and I was rewarded with quite a jolt!

 

Roger's has a two pipe water system, but the finale at Roger's is another story.

[trilingual]

Uncle Tri also has to agree that tipping or exceeding the going rate is something that rarely should be done. For starters, we're guests in Brazil. If we start overpaying, we mess things up for the local customers, who are the daily bread and butter of both the guys and the bath houses themselves. We're in THEIR country, this is THEIR way of doing things, and it's our responsibility to adjust to local customs when we're there.

 

Also, just because the rate of exchange makes Brazil cheap for Americans and Europeans, don't make the mistake of thinking that R$50 is a small amount of money in Brazil. Remember that the monthly minimum wage in Brazil is R$200. This means that in a night or two at the baths a guy can make what it takes some other Brazilian working stiff a month to earn. Also, R$50 represents a respectable amount of purchasing power in Brazil. That's almost a month's worth of bus fares, for example. If you visit a Brazilian supermarket, R$50 buys a respectable amount of food. It also buys quite a number of meals at inexpensive restaurants. In other words, we aren't ripping guys off when we pay them R$50. It's a reasonable amount in the Brazilian economy, and it's also what the market will bear in a country where good looking, willing and horny young guys are not in short supply.

 

As for the type of guys (in terms of part-timers vs. pros) I see the break-down differently. There are the gay-for-pay guys, who generally turn out to be wooden in the sack, and the guys who actually like (or prefer) sex with other men but don't necessarily self-identify as gay. By getting paid for what they do, they can rationalize to themselves their sexual activity with other men. Of course, given the socioeconomic status of most of these guys, they can certainly use the money they make, but if the bath house culture hadn't come into existence in Brazil they'd undoubtedly be carrying on anonymously in the dark of certain notorious movie theaters that exist in virtually every large Brazilian city. (Our gentle readers who are old enough to remember the glory days of the sleazier movie theaters on New York's 42nd Street will know the kind of establishment I'm talking about!)