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Paris 1900 in 2003
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SIGNS OF LOVE : BRAZILIAN MOTELS
THE WORD "motel" in Brazil designates a hotel that rents rooms from one hour to twenty-four hours to couples who are in search of intimacy and discretion. They are normally located on the periphery of cities, along the highways (hence the term motel), but there are also some located in town. Motels
Signs and Facades As with any
business establishment, the motel must meet the needs of its clients while
taking into account the competition. But since this is an establishment
operating in the sex sector, it is difficult to use the typical methods
of drawing attention to customers and of distinguishing oneself from the
competition. In addition, it is essential that these establishments clearly
distinguish themselves from other types of businesses in the sex sector,
like private clubs and brothels, which are well established on the Brazil
streets.
The
owners of medium priced motels must also respect the golden rule, which
forbids them from posting the price: the motel must seem
All
the motels operate in a similar manner: the couple registers with the
receptionist, who is generally located behind a dark window and who provides
the room key. After they have finished their fun, the couple returns to
the reception desk to settle the cost, which depends on the amount of
time spent in the room. The minimum charge is usually two hours. Kate V from Paris sent the following information to Ruavista: There are discreet hotels in Paris called "maisons de rendez-vous" which, unlike the Brazilian motels, never give any indication of what they are; they are different from the "ordinary" hotels precisely in that there is no advertising or visible prices.
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Copyright 2002 Marc Voelckel Updates
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Economical
motels target a popular clientele. The emphasis is, therefore, placed
on the price of the motel. The rates as well as the promotions (for example,
lunch served) are clearly posted on the motel's facade.
generally need little advertising: they are known (there are about a dozen
of them in São Paulo, which has 20 million people). They are distinguishable
simply by their architecture, which is often imposing and sometimes flashy.
customers.
expensiveso the man can impress his partner, but the price must be reasonable
enough to make the customer loyal.Thus the importance of the motel's facade
and its entry way, which often includes statues in faux-marble and well-maintained
landscaping. 
To
distinguish themselves from conventional hotels, the motels can either
put their vocation on their logo, which might mean either a heart or a
couple or they can indicate that their rooms offer the facilities traditionally
offered by motels (like televisions playing pornographic films, euphemistically
referred to as ciné privé).
The
price depends not only on the amount of time spent, but also the day of
the week, as the more expensive hours are from Friday to Saturday, as
well as holidays. Prices vary between 2.5 US $ to more than 50 $ for two
hours. Almost all motels have rooms with an individual garage, since couples,
for reasons of discretion, come and go by car (especially enlightened
motels offer rooms with two parking places, sometimes more…).
