Valet boy

Valet boy (Malay: Jaga kereta) is a term used in some countries to refer to young people who ask for fees from those who park at the roadside.^[1] Valet boys usually work in groups, and demand an RM 1-5 "parking fee" from car owners, under an agreement that they will protect the car. If the driver refuses to pay, the valet boys will vandalise the vehicle. This "protection" service is thus a form of extortion. The valet boys do not park the cars for the owners, but direct the owners into parking lots. ^[2] This practice has become common in large Brazilian cities, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where numerous cases of "valet boys" vandalizing cars are reported every day. Similar schemes are also run in other countries, although the person is not necessarily a boy. In the Philippines, however, this scheme is mostly run by street children.

A valet boy at Puduraya district, Kuala Lumpur

A valet boy at Puduraya district, Kuala Lumpur

In Indonesia, this practice is so commonplace and generally accepted that a local government may hire a mob to collect the parking fee, which is usually shared between them.

See also

• Valet
• Valet de chambre
• Trapito
• Car guard
• Franelero