Tipping

Workers in most services get tipped 10%, and as they make the minimum wage, which is not enough to live on, you can be sure they need the money. In restaurants the service charge will usually be included in the bill and is mandatory. If the staff are friendly and helpful you can give more. When the service charge is not included, a 10% tip is customary.

There are many places where tipping is not customary but is a welcome gesture. The local juice stands, bars, coffee corners, street and beach vendors are all tipped on occasion. Parking assistants receive no wages and are dependent on tips, up to R$2. Petrol station attendants, shoe shiners and barbers are also frequently tipped. Most people round up taxi fares to the nearest real, but tipping is not expected

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