Hostesses › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

« Back To Picture of the Day Top

PHOTO BY MAX HODGES

Tuesday 17th June, 06:21 AM JST

Hostesses bid farewell to a customer in Shinjuku.

External Link:www.tokyorealtime.com

Latest 15 of 75 Total Comments Show All

pimpninja1 at 03:39 AM JST - 18th June

Hello. My name Is pimpninja. There, u have met a man that doesn't want to experience this aspect of Japanese society. Dont get me wrong, I like japan. I dont even But I've always wondered at the fools who pay for sex when anyone with a modicum of "game" can get a lady at the club. Now I'm expected to pay exorbitant yen to speak to a lady? I havent the time nor the want to go into how many levels this is wrong on.

Pimpninja say, he who pay everytine woman speak, he soon broke.
MeanRingo at 06:56 AM JST - 18th June

I wanna hear from some gaijin ladies who have worked the club scenes like this. I know a lot of them on teaching visas pad their income with some friendly conversations with Japanese men. I imagine a large chunk of the ex-Nova teachers took their lessons to the club instead of doing it for hot meals. I even knew a Canadian hostess who made off like a bandit doing these gigs. Trips, video cameras, tickets to shows... you name it. She was amazed to find people from home thought she was a whore. Hmmmm... go figure. But hell, I'd do it if I could make the money these lassies rake in.
Nessie at 10:05 PM JST - 18th June

Nessie - Those are the 'usual exclusion tactics' for those who are 'entrenched'?

Yes, they are. Among exclusion tactics, those are the usual ones. Not sure what you're on about.
cleo at 12:38 AM JST - 19th June
Nessie - Nuts was telling us that the 'usual exclusion tactics' don't apply to 'guests' but kick in when you 'become entrenched'. I have no idea what he was on about. And I'm not sure how the kind of people who might come out with -

"We're just closing." "Members only." Or the flat-out: "Gaijin NO!"
- would know whether they were talking to a 'guest' or someone 'entrenched'. Or why they would want to exclude an 'entrenched' gaijin, but not a 'guest' one.
tokyotom at 11:02 AM JST - 19th June

yes, lets hear from some gaijin ladies who have done this, the ones I have met always whinge about it, what the hell do you think you are being paid for is what I say!
Nessie at 07:34 PM JST - 19th June

Cleo, I think he meant "even" those who are entrenched.
cleo at 10:47 PM JST - 19th June

Nessie - I don't think 'while you're a guest, you'll be treated well because that's the all inclusive social rule. Social mores if you like. Once you become entrenched to any degree the rules change and the usual exclusion tactics are the norm' can be interpreted that way. It's the exact opposite.
Steppenwolf323 at 07:30 AM JST - 20th June

I read these comments quite frequently and generally do not comment, but in this case feel it neccesaary.

I have been in Japan 20 years. I am from Germany and I must admit it, I go to Hostess Clubs sometimes (most commonly referred to as Snacks).

Not the ones such as in the Photo above with flashy signs and time limits but the more exclusive places in Ginza, Shinbashi, and Azabu. Admitedly they are not cheap, but the "Keep Bottle" system defrays a lot of the costs.

I have never been refused entrance, perhaps because I always go the first time with a Japanese friend. While there I speak Japanese, and make them feel comfortable that I understand the system.

Here is where most foreigners have it wrong. The Japanese are not neccesarily exclusionary, they are however very fearful of misunderstandings and feel foreigners don't know the system, based in many cases on bad experiences.

Many of the girls are students trying to make a few extra yen and won't rip you off if you are polite, there are of course exceptions.

Such establishments are good places to bring business contacts or just have a beer or two and relax without your university students by chance running into you.
jerseyboy at 10:51 AM JST - 20th June

Steppenwolf...Bully for you. I have been here over 7 years, and can proudly state that I have never wasted so much as one yen in one of these clubs. I can "have a beer or two and relax" in my apartment or a restaurant with my girlfriend having a real/meaningful conversation, not some canned dribble the gals are taught to spew out. But, if you want to spend your money to have some young gal tell you how good-looking/funny/gently/smart/take-you-pick you are, then go for it.
kagunlapell at 01:56 PM JST - 20th June

liste, Steppenwolf and jerseyboy, both of you are right.
Japanophile1 at 12:14 PM JST - 21st June

Frankly, I was a bit surprised by some of the reactions here. Who really cares if another chooses to spend his money on a hostess, at a cafe, at a club, at home, in the movie theater, the comic shop, on clothing, tea, beer, cars, watches, hand carved collectible items or whatever? It is up to the individual to decide on what and where he will spend his money and I'd venture a guess that almost everyone here has "wasted" their money on something in the eyes and opinion of another. Please everyone, stop being so judgmental. These hostesses make a bit of extra money doing this and it's okay. The men pay them and that's okay too. Who really cares? It seems to me that it's a fairly harmless way to relax and not really have to think too hard after what really may have been a difficult day. I don't see anything wrong with it, but maybe I'm more open-minded...
faulkmore at 01:02 AM JST - 23rd June

Japanophile1...Love the rant in support of prostitution.

C'est la vie! The girls are just trying to earn some extra pocket change...

hehehe you crack me up. BTW prostitution is mostly legal in Japan. So maybe your opinion is the mainstream opinion.
humptydumpty at 01:24 PM JST - 23rd June

Living in Japan as a hostess makes you feel like you are living in another world. The things you hear..the things you see ITS SICK. And it proves how Japan is still clearly male dominated. They walk in , point their finger at who they want to talk to or DONT want near them they snort, puff cigarettes in your face, grab your boob randomly and spit when they talk that it actually splatters in your face. You constantly have to have your back up straight and can never yawn which is VERY hard. The ice in his drink has to be fresh at all times and you have to fake laugh at every unfunny joke. Its very tiring to be there for 5 hours non-stop with your fake personality. No girl who works there will ever show their real personality its a rule in the game. They adjust their personality to every customer and the mama-san tells you how you should be like. What decent man would pay to have someone fake laugh at your jokes? A damn FOOL!
tokyotom at 06:21 PM JST - 23rd June

humpty, how long have you been hostessing now? save enuf $ to go home?
Japanophile1 at 12:48 AM JST - 24th June

My dear faulkmore-san, hahahahahaha, you crack me up! Again, who really cares? It simply isn't a big deal. Sitting, drinking with and talking to a man for money is not prostitution by any definition. What a man and woman choose to do after that however may or may not be and that is another issue altogether.

And my dear humptydumpty-san, hostessing may be hard, but no job is easy or it wouldn't be called "work." Get used to the concept now and it will serve you well for the rest of your life. Carry out whatever job (aka "work") you have with grace and the time moves much more quickly, you will not be as unhappy and you may find something better is just around the corner. Also, it will behoove you to never call your clients fools.. they just might be the ones who hire you in the future and it is better not to burn those bridges. Good luck humptydumpty-san I hope you can get over being so bitter.