-- In another thread the rights and wrongs of SENSO MASSAGE with its MINIMUM TIPS. policy has been discussed.
- TWINKS MASSAGE is another massage parlor with a similar policy: it's just 700.Bh. there, I believe;
- addr.: Soi Naras Thiwat 1., (aka. Soi Anuman.),
Bang rak, BKK. 10500.;
- loc'n.: between NATURE BOYS and the GOLDEN COCK a go-go bars..

-- Now, thanks to info. in the flg. web-site -

Shamelessmack in Thailand and around

I u'stand. that JUPITER 2002 MAN CLUB.* has a present 'off.' fee of 400.Bh. and a MINIMUM TIP. of 1,500.Bh. to the boi, (possibly this includes a payment to the M'san.?),.

-* addr.: Thaniya soi 2.,
Tnn. suriwong, Khet Bang rak, BKK. 10500.;
- loc'n.: besides SURIWONGSE HTL.;
- BTS./MRT.: Sala Daeng,(S2.)/Silom or Sam Yan;
- tel.: (02)-237 4050.;
- web: none.

-- E&OE.. -- Bibi. --

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I don't know much about Jupiter, but in general if someone were to open a bar that consistently and reliably offered a higher quality of service, both in terms of the attractiveness of the boys and their performance/behavior, I would think that could be a good thing even if it meant higher fees and minimum tips.

Although charges and minimum tips at massage places like Hero are relatively high, I would rather travel some distance by Skytrain and pay the higher amounts there knowing that the boys were attractive and there was no doubt what was on offer. Spending 1/3 the amount at a cheaper place where the majority of boys were unattractive & inept, hoping that I might get lucky is to me a false economy and a gamble.

Likewise, if some go-go or host bar charged higher fees (or maybe a membership charge) and had a minimum tip AND the boys were well trained to satisfy the customers, the boys there would probably be better compensated and, like Hero, they would probably have a steady clientele of resident farang and locals. I know the supposition made was that it was just greedy mamasans, but in most bars the mamasan gets a kick-back from the boys. If the Mamasans are simply greedy for no reason, then business will suffer.

When this topic was raised somewhere else I seem to recall someone saying that the minimum only applied to customers they did not know and was set to provide some protection for the boys.
The report that I read about Jupiter made it sound like the boys were arrogant, had very high opinions of themselves and were poor performers once off’d. I used to read similar comments about Tawan, although I never found it to be true. Reports like this can be a good starting point especially for newbies, but I quite often find the reality to be quite different from what was reported.

If I get to Bangkok later this week as planned, I may pay Jupiter a visit to see what it’s like and maybe others could also post their experiences here. The more reports made the better the chance they will present an accurate assessment.

If it takes higher fees and minimum tips to get a higher standard of service, I’m all for it. The tourists and bargain shoppers can search for cheap drinks and mind-numbing sexy shows elsewhere, and those who are willing to spend a bit more might have an alternative venue.

If Jupiter’s boys simply have a bloated opinion of themselves for no reason, that would be a shame, but how have they managed to stay in business so long (I think I’ve heard the name for years??) if they aren’t providing what people want?

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Over the last 2 years I have offed 4 boys from Jupiter. They have all been extremely good looking and useless in bed. Since I normally pay 1500 baht , I cannot comment on their minimum charge.

I am 62 and heavy and they all made me feel that way. That Bar will never get a dimes worth of my business.

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-- Agreed in general.
- But TIPs. should be at the customers' discretion and not some mandatory figure laid-down by mngmnt.; especially - as is rumored for JUPITER 2002. - if the M'sans. take their rake-off!
- http://www.shamelessmack.wordpress.com has some words about JUPITER 2002. on his web-pages.
-- Bibi. --

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But I know of some other bars (obviously I cannot state what percentage of all bars) where the mamasan get kick-backs from the boys. As I mentioned when I spoke of Cartier in Pattaya, ALL the boys who get off'd MUST pay the mamasan a set amount. In other bars I'm sure it's at least those boys who the mamasan promotes to customers who must in turn pay the mamasan something.

In the article the comment that this decision was based on greedy mamasans was pure speculation, so let's not elevate it to a position of fact. That sort of thing is best left to discussions of WMD and the Bush Administration.

Certainly some of the many massage places you've visited have minimum tips. Personally I would only go to a place like Hero or Senso where a minimum tip seemed justified by a nearly certain expectation of what you're getting.

I'm definitely not promoting Jupiter or defending their staff. If they are indeed as pushy and arrogant as a number of people suggest, then they may well implode on their greed & over-inflated egos.

I still think, in theory at least, that a truly upscale host bar operation that charged more because it provided a better quality of service would be welcome.

The concept appears to work for some of the massage places. There's still plenty of business for the lesser places.

I have been fortunate in finding some great guys in the various bars. I have a regular long term friend as well as some regular "occasional visitors" who I found in bars and now call on the phone when I want to see them. Once in awhile I get the urge for someone new, but I really dislike the search process, i.e. the tedious viewing of dispirited boys on stage in their underwear, the "what your name,""where you come from," and all that. When the urge for someone new comes to me, I'd like to eliminate as much of the hit-and-miss gogo bar shuffle as possible.If there were one or two high quality venues where success was more likely, I'd be willing to pay extra for the experience. If I never had to walk into another typical gogo bar again, I'd be quite happy... or at least if I didn't have to wander through a succession of them looking for the elusive champion amongst a field of also-rans.

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The above reply is a little ambiguous concerning staff at Jupiter.In my opinion the mamasans and waiters are not pushy and arrogant.The boys and dancers may be a different story and I guess this is what you meant.

On past visits the low level of sales pressure and pleasant attitude of staff make it a reason to return and buy drinks and have fun.This is one reason why Jupiter continues to be succesful.

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I was chatting to an ex-Jupiter boy the other day who told me he had left because the bar is owned by the wife of a prominent policeman and he doesn't like the police.

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