Yes- tipping is not in Japanese culture. You never tip taxi drivers, restaurants etc in Japan - and on the couple of occasions I offed a boy from a host bar in Tokyo's Shinjuku -san chome, and Osaka's gay area (where they do exist - but all in street clothes) I'm pretty sure I only paid the "house" charge and no tip was expected.

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Does anyone know if Apsara has opened again?

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Agree, I've had 'on the premises' and 'takeout' experiences in Japan, offered extra tips to the boys but all quite surprised and all politely declined to take the tip. One young uni student told me he was worried the master would be angry if he knew the boy had accepted an extra tip.
Overall, tipping is very rare in japan, as biggles mentioned.

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-- Herebelow is a shortened version of a recent SGPean's visit to SENSO* -

- 60mins. massage costs 999.Bh. PLUS 1,200.Bh. MINIMUM TIP.;
- 90mins. massage for 1,200.Bh. PLUS 1,600. TIP.;

-- He opted for a 60mins. massage, (type not specified.); he wrote: 'Massage lasted but 15mins. for back and 10mins. for front.', before the fun part: 'Not as good.' he added. He was left to shower alone afterwards. Verdict: '1 word DISAPPOINTING.'.

-- Source: > Trevvy < - TRAVELLERS' LODGE - BANGKOK.

-- *Addr.: 5/8., Soi Sala daeng, Bang rak;
- BTS./MRT.: Sala daeng, (S2.)/Silom;
- Tel.: (02)-636 3535.;
- Hrs.: Daily 14.-23.oo.hrs..

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-- Another & new massage-parlor & SPA. has OPENED on Silom soi 6. -

MONTARA MASSAGE & SPA.,
Addr.: 128/9, Silom 6.,
Bang rak, BANGKOK, 10500.;
Tel.: (02)-634 2430.;
Cell: (087)-918 0334.;
Menu, for 60'., 90'. and 120mins., (sample prices),:
1.- Thai Trad. Msg.: 200., 300. & 400.Bh.;
2.- Aroma oil Msg.: 550., 760. & 1,000.Bh.;
TIPS. at customers' discretion;
-- This parlor is for ladies & gents. and has masseurs & masseuses - the staff, from what I've seen, being neatly uniformed in tee shirts over trousers.
-- The receptionist with whom I spoke admitted that he spoke but little English; from the signage outside, and its loc'n., I'd expect it to appeal more to Japanese, and possibly, to Chinese customers.


-- E&OE. as I've not availed of its services. --

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Last night Mr Spoonfed & I had a trip to Prime. It being frequently busy in the past few months, we took the liberty if calling in advance to book our oil massages, but clearly the low season cliff has been passed; only 1 person getting a foot massage when we arrived, and a few boys lounging around outside.

No pick of boys but that was ok, being under the close watch of the other half, I need to be on my best behaviour. A chunky guy escorted me to my room at the very top of the house.

The thing that struck me from the moment I arrived at the massage room was just how incredibly shabby the place is looking; clearly they had a very good high season but it has taken its toll on the building. The toilet/shower room was particularly bad - the shower head and soap dish hanging off the wall, as was the towel rail, and the toilet flush was also broken.

That said, the massage was very good and lasted the full hour, a bargain at only 400 baht. No extras were offered nor requested.

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-- A web-acquaintance from another web-site has asked me for any info. on Massage Parlors and suchlike in KHET THUNG KHRU, wch. is across the river, (WEST bank.), to the SSW. of Cent'l. BKK., and can be accessed via the Kanchanaphisek Bridge; the Outer Ring Rd., Southern, running East to West bisects the khet roughly in half.
--

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wow, we have a house in Thung Kru (15 yrs) and I have never heard the area mentioned on any site. Sometimes go to Male Box near Rama 2 Central. Have local mums massage everywhere but nothing gay, as far as I have seen. Having said that, with KMUTT in Paracha-uthit Rd there must be an opening for action.

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