The "betel nut beauties" of Taiwan

Daylight prostitution in Taipei? Nope. Just some scantily clad Taiwanese girls selling drinks, cigarettes and nuts to passing car drivers.

Corsets, cleavages, and skirts shorter than a belt; "betel nut beauties" stop at nothing to get the attention of passing cars. Largely from underprivileged backgrounds, this unusual workforce, sat in their brightly coloured neon-lit stalls, are dressed as such in order to sell nuts, not sex. A prized stimulant in Taiwan, betel nuts are highly popular... and so are the "betel beauties".

The Taiwanese authorities did attempt to get the vendors to soften their look after blaming them for an increase in traffic accidents. But the law, passed in parliament in 2002, fell flat after it was barely enforced. It was not received warmly by the Taiwanese population.

Photos: Tobie Openshaw.

“I’m starting to spot the ones who’ll be happy to be photographed”

Tobie Openshaw, 47, is a South African photographer who's been living in Tapei for ten years.

I'm a regular client of betel nut beauties. I often stop to take a coffee or buy cigarettes. I always chat with the girls, but not too long to bother them.

I'm starting to spot the ones who'll be happy to be photographed. I never insist or pressure them; I just show a real interest in their lives and their work. Of course, many are still reluctant, but those who accept become really involved and introduce me to friends of theirs who'd like to be photographed too. I make a point of being discreet; I just ask them to do their work as normal. I would hate to penalise them by losing them clients. And I always pass by later to show them a few rough prints."

Tobie's video on betel nut culture:

Photos : Tobie Openshaw.

Comments

You Go Girls!

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 01/09/2009 - 22:11.

My only question is, why are other industries not following suit? If China Airlines make their flight attendants dress like that, I'm flying China Airlines every time!!

Unregistered user

OK!!! without the nuts

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 31/08/2009 - 19:36.

The scantily clad girls are fun... But the betel nuts are responbsible for 99% of the record rate of mouth cancer in Taiwan... (put simply, the nuts/chemicals combination destroys the mucous wall of the mouth and attack the bones) Not a good habit. Daily addicts and heavy chewers are nearly certain to get a cancer along the way. Some as early as 25 or 30 years old. Then they often survive, but since they undergo face and jaw reconstructive surgery, they are totally defigured, and end their life being fed through a tube connected to their stomach. They usually wear a mask to hide their face and avoid saliva falling on their shoes.
Really NOT a good habit!!!

Unregistered user

girls ,cigarettes

Submitted by Unregistered userjoseph walker (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 16:42.

Need a trip to taiwan,as a smoker,need a boost for my habit,considering most of our morons in the media and broadcasting over here ,keep giving us thier masters views about smoking.The garbage thier taLK WILL KILL MORE PEOPLE THAN CIGARAETTES.

Unregistered user