local people, Manaus

from the Manaus Region, have become very much aware of their Heritage and try to preserve their way of life and culture.
much of their land has been confiscated, burned and left the tribes on a knifes edge.
birthrates had dropped considerable and western diseases like chicken pox, influenca, measles took their toll..and many have been killed, just because they did not leave their land, stood in the way of big business...manly american fruit companies

In Manaus, as well as in the rest of the country, If you take a cab or go to a restaurant, tipping is optional.

In a cab you should only pay what the meter says.

In a restaurant they include a 10% service tax - which would be as a tip. Theresore, if you want to leave your favourite waiter something, it's up to you.
Then if you got bad service, you have to pay the 10% anyway, so don't feel like you're supposed to tip, specially because I think they don't expect it.

Still, in hotels it is more common people tip bell boys and stuff.

Other than that, tips are mostly if you fell the service deserves it.

poor...but very clean and very hospitable. respect the people and the culture. poverty is not choosen, being well of neither...opportunity does not knock on everybodies door. people get by here and take every job opportunity which comes along.
infrastructure in the north of Brasil has to get better to give everybody a decent chance. still 10% of the Rich own 90% of the Country and 90% have to do with the rest.
for everybody who is alittle more interested in the social-economic situation of Brazil, could have a look at.. MARTINELLI's Brazil page