We had just left the convenience store with the liquid refreshments we needed for our night in when Space said to me “Look at the beer girl!” I was half expecting to turn around and see a girl with a beer belly (just as rare as a macaque in these parts) but instead I saw a scantily clad girl with the word “MINE!” emblazoned across her chest.
“You’ve never heard of a Taiwanese beer girl?” Space asked.
“No, it’s unfortunate and true, I’ve never heard of this wonderful phenomenon” I said.
I’ve heard of promotions girls before; you know, the annoying girls who can’t can’t tend bar because they can't count and who end up getting a job promoting a brand of alcohol in a club. They can’t sell the stuff because they don’t work for the club, so basically they’re eye candy…annoying eye candy.
Taiwanese beer girls are a little different in that while they promote a specific brand through their outfit (oh my!) they’ll serve you whatever you order as they essentially work for whatever restaurant they’re in for the night. Space insisted I get a picture with her and the “philosophy of yes” dictated that I was in no position to refuse. So we sat down to have a beer but instead of the beer girl the toothless proprietor came over. Space told the woman that we were only ordering beer and would wait for the girl. I took a look around and could see instantly why the place was so busy, the tables were full of men looking at the beer girl; she was definitely good for business, which coincidentally, had her running all over the place. It wasn’t until the second round of drinks that we actually got the photo with her. She was flattered, but remained the typically Taiwanese girl under the uniform. At least she didn’t raise the two-fingered Taiwanese sign for nervous/awkward that you see in so many photos. And it’s not just with strangers that the sign is flashed, Taiwanese youth give the “awkward” sign in photos with their friends as well.
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