Tipping/Gratuity/Gorjeta for Christmas

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.

Comments

[Typ0]

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.

[Daily Rio Life]

Good point!

[Deiatatu]

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.

[Deiatatu]

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.

[Daily Rio Life]

Wow I don't think I have ever even seen my mailman or garbage collector!