I have heard a bunch of different information on this topic from different people so I thought I'd throw it out there for discussion, help & advice... What is customary in Brazil when it comes to Christmas tipping or gifts?
For example for...
- Your hairdresser (assuming you had one in Brazil. I don't.)
- Your maid or empregada or fauxineira
- Your doorman or porteira
- Your nanny or baba
- Your Portuguese teacher or professora portuguese
- Your yoga instructor
- Your kid's Capoiera instructor...
- Your secretary (clearly this is more of a bonus or gift situation than "tip" but you get the idea)
What I've heard:
- Brazilians don't tip these people
- Brazilians provide these people with a "13th salary" (or extra month's wages) this time of year
See why I am confused?
I look forward to your comments and I will post again soon letting you know what we did with ours, just for interest's sake.
In both Kenya and India we have a half month's salary for Xmas to our driver and maid. In Kenya this was supplemented with a traditional basket of gifts like tea, maize, flour, phone cards, etc.
I over tip anyone who can effect how i look. Waxers, hair people, etc. If i undertip today and they remember me, i could walk out of there with only one eyebrow next time. LOL But i tip each visit - nothing extra for the holidays for these folks.
Posted by: Typ0 | December 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Good point!
Posted by: Daily Rio Life | December 19, 2008 at 11:49 AM
What is also very common is to give out "cestas de Natal" or X-mas baskets. It has lots of things inside it such as Panetone, nuts, lentils,etc, typical things Brazilians eat for X-mas/New Year.
I wouldn´t give anything to the hairdresser for instance. Brazilians usually tip mailmen and garbage collectors in this time of year, though.
Posted by: Deiatatu | December 20, 2008 at 09:18 AM
What is also very common is to give out "cestas de Natal" or X-mas baskets. It has lots of things inside it such as Panetone, nuts, lentils,etc, typical things Brazilians eat for X-mas/New Year.
I wouldn´t give anything to the hairdresser for instance. Brazilians usually tip mailmen and garbage collectors in this time of year, though.
Posted by: Deiatatu | December 20, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Wow I don't think I have ever even seen my mailman or garbage collector!
Posted by: Daily Rio Life | December 20, 2008 at 01:55 PM