Hookah Masters and COVID-19 crisis: How has is it affected them? Brazil
COVID-19 crisis has affected all the economic sectors but, if we focus on the hookah industry, shisha lounges and hookah masters are the main victims of this worldwide pandemic. The closure of this kind of business has led many workers into a critical economic situation.
We have decided to interview six hookah masters from Brazil to know his point of view.
We express gratitude to Juba Gabriel, who is actively participating in the preparation of the article.
Atilio, Oasis Lounge Shop
What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?
Atilio, Oasis Lounge Shop, almost a year ago.
Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?
Delivery only. Stopped in March
How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?
On average 40 to 60 hookah, 1,200 Reais per month.
If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?
I get paid normally, but at other hours of operation.
What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?
I was at home I returned to work last month.
What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?
Tangiers , Nay e Ziggy.
What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?
Triton, Regal e Sultan.
Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt? What do you think about this service?
Yes, and a service that came to revolutionize the way we are used to working.
Erick Araújo, Aliahos Lounge
What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?
My name is Erick Araújo, I worked at Aliahos Lounge for 4 months
Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?
The Lounge is not working, it stopped on May 1st
How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?
The number of Roshs varied, but on average 30 Roshs a day that did not have an event, on an event day it was a much larger amount, I received 450 Reais per month.
If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?
No support because the lounge its closed
What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?
The quarantine I’m going through at home, my life has changed a lot because the little I received in the lounge helped me a lot, I even paid some bills to help at home, unfortunately I only had the Lounge as work.
What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?
Zomo, Nay and Ziggy.
What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?
Triton, Kalle and Sins Premium.
Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt? What do you think about this service?
I would certainly be interested in working, I think it is a very good idea and will help many people who like the world of hookah.
Isabela, Agrabah Hookah Lounge
What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?
Isabela, Agrabah Hookah Lounge for 1 and a half years. Purple Hookah Lounge for 3 months on account of covid.
Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?
They are stopped because of the quarantine
How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?
It goes from day to day, but on average 35 hookahs.70-80 Reais per day
If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?
No support because the lounge it’s closed
What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?
At home, he switched from water to wine because I never stayed at home. Yes, I work at a real estate agency that is also stopped.
What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?
Tangiers, Pure Tobacco, Zomo
What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?
Hookah King, Regal, Triton
Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt ? What do you think about this service?
Of course. And I found it interesting and very innovative
Jefferson Souza, Fire Smoke Hookah Lounge.
What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?
Jefferson Souza, Fire Smoke Hookah Lounge.
Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?
No, it’s just delivery. Stopped since the beginning of the quarantine
How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?
Normally 30 to 40 roshs, the combined value was 50 Reais a day.
If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?
No support because the lounge its closed and sales declined a lot
What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?
At the moment just staying at home with the lounge closed and without any other work
What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?
Zomo, Nay e Ziggy
What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?
Amazon, Triton e Sultan
Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt? What do you think about this service?
Yes, I would be interested, the service is important to help people from the world of hookah who are experiencing difficulties at that moment
Lucas Sevegnani, Lótus Palace.
What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?
Lucas Sevegnani, i have been working for 2 years at Lótus Palace.
Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?
The Lounge is not working, stopped on March 20th
How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?
About 100 hookah a day. when it was an open tobacco day, then it was already over 300 depending on the open.
If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?
Yes, we received help from the owner, both in cash and in products, for the sale. Even being a free lance
What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?
After quarantining at home, he changed financially, since he doesn’t even have a job
What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?
Tangiers , Pure e Haze.
What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?
Wookah , Regal e Khalil Maamoon
Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt? What do you think about this service?
Yes for sure!
Victor Medeiros, Ganesha Hookah Shop
What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?
Victor Medeiros, Ganesha Hookah Shop, working for 3 years
Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?
Only delivery is working, the lounge stopped on March 19th.
How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?
It prepares an average of 50 roshs a day. Salary of 2,000 thousand Reais.
If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?
The salary I used to receive, no, but receive support whenever I need it.
What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?
I’m staying home as it is supposed to be, my life hasn’t changed much, but we who work with the public are used to always being with people, something that is not allowed. I don’t have another job.
What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?
Tangier, Azure and Haze.
What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?
Wookah, Regal and Sultan.
Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt? What do you think about this service?
Yes, I would be interested, I think it is a very good proposal for those who like work with hookah market.