Betel nut girl in Banqiao
A beautiful Taiwanese betel nut vendor
The betel nut (or areca nut or bīn láng in Chinese) is a very popular nut in most parts of Asia and also in Taiwan. The tradition of chewing this nut is very long and dates many thousands years back (more about it here). But what's uniquely Taiwanese are the so called betel nut beauties or girls [in Chinese: 檳榔西施, pronounced bīn láng xī shī], girls who sell betel nuts, drinks and cigarettes near the main roads in all Taiwanese cities and towns. Usually guys (bus and truck drivers) stop with their cars and the girl will come and bring them whatever they choose to buy (you can see that on my photo).These girls are famous in Taiwan, but also somewhat controversial, because some of them wear very skimpy outfits with strong make-up. Their sexy look is intended to attract the predominantly male costumers. I heard that in some parts in southern Taiwan, they dress even sexier than the girl above (only underwear and bra), which is not allowed. So when the police come, they would quickly put up something decent and when they leave, they take it off again.
I've passed by that girl and there were other shops as well. I saw few girls inside, who looked like they are going to a night club - they really looked hot. It was my first time seeing this phenomenon in real and it was a very interesting experience.
Update 1/11: See this video of photographer and documentary film-maker Tobie Openshaw talking about Taiwan's betel nut girl culture.
What's your impression of Taiwanese betel nut girls?
[Related: See 380 pics of betel nut girls by Toby Openshaw][Info source: Wiki][Photo by MKL, 2010]
43 KAFKAESQUE COMMENTS:
oh i thought they only had betel nuts in india.and they spit it out everywhere yuckkkkk
her clothes are hardly skimpy, she's covered from head to toe o_O
March 12, 2010 12:30 AM
@Manju: No, betel nuts are popular here with men. Well, this one didn't wear skimpy clothes, but I saw some who were. Most of those very sexy ones are in Southern Taiwan I was told. Check the 380 pics of betel nut girls and you'll see some of those.
March 12, 2010 12:33 AM
I thought they were popular here. Dint know they are popular there too. Well, atleast in Indian beauty girls dont give it but uncles do :P. Have u tasted one yet?
March 12, 2010 1:22 AM
@Harini: I haven't tasted any, but I plan to in the future :)
March 12, 2010 2:02 AM
I don't really react to the girl in the photo, BUT woman catering to MEN like that makes me cringe... Why can't men sell the nuts? Why can't woman by them? I don't like it.
March 12, 2010 2:13 AM
@Carina: I guess it's not that men can't sell these nuts, it's just that the owners only employ sexy young girls to sell them. You have the same idea behind employ girls/women for hostesses, waitresses and stewardesses, right? In this case, they don't cater to men, they just sell the nuts in sexy outfits, that's all. I'm not pro or contra, I'm just trying to explain. This topic has a lot of room for discussion, hehe ;)
March 12, 2010 2:27 AM
I'm sorry, i just don't agree. You do not have the same idea behind waitresses, stewardess and hostesses. I have traveled with so many different airlines and to say that they all hot and sexy dressed is a false. Neither are they all woman.
At least over here, when hooters tried to established themselves in Norway recently they were not able to because Norwegian law don't tolerate it. And I'm glad it doesn't. People shouldn't hire based on looks and people shouldn't objectify woman like that.
I'n not saying you are pro or contra, I'm just saying practices like this bother me.
March 12, 2010 2:55 AM
heeheeehehe the name makes me giggle... Betel Nut Girl. ;P
although the idea is very unique and smart since men will feel more inclined to get something from a girl like her than just any "regular" person.
did you buy anything?!?! ;P
March 12, 2010 3:42 AM
having pretty sales girls is excellent marketing and i'm sure many men stop to buy something they could probably do without purely to speak to the girls for a few moments.
us men are so easy to manipulate!
i wish we had betel nut girls over here!
March 12, 2010 4:34 AM
I think I might be on the same line as Carina Blogarina on that one. Goes back to my previous rant about Intl Women's Day and the younger generation. Sexy guys with 6 packs and in tight speedos would get the lady drivers to stop by too.
March 12, 2010 4:43 AM
Did you buy anything from her? Hehehe. I wonder if they have Betel nut guys there? Hehehe. She still looks fairly dressed, but wow, it takes a lot to just go out and about selling stuff in the skimpiest outfits. I don't think I'd ever have the guts to do that.
March 12, 2010 6:05 AM
I heard betel nut girls taste better than betel nuts.
Yummy yum yum.
March 12, 2010 10:13 AM
Wow that is one cute outfit, I'd love to try it but it's too hot here in Manila :D Yeah, did you get anything? :D
March 12, 2010 11:12 AM
Taiwan has numerous cases of throat and tongue cancers. This is caused by chewing betel nut.
There's nothing good about that nut. Its nuts to even eat it. The alkoloids makes the consumer delirious and the juice rots the consumer's teeth.
My home state is named after this silly nut.
March 12, 2010 11:39 AM
I know in Vietnam, they also have betel nut.
Btw have you tried it or were you too busy looking at the girls? :p
March 12, 2010 12:00 PM
@Carina: Well, I agree, in an ideal world, people shouldn't hire based on looks. But have you seen an obese stewardess? Or let's say one with missing teeth? Or one with a scar or deformation? A partly bold one? One with a crew cut? I guess not. I haven't seen one. Fact is, for many jobs, especially in advertising, retail and service industry, looks matter big time. So my point is, that what the betel nut industry in Taiwan is doing is not so different that what other industries are doing. If you sell nuts or drinks in a night club in such an outfit, for me there's no difference. That's my point ;)
@Kym: I'd not say the idea is unique, I mean sexy girls selling something is quite common, don't you think? But it made me wonder, too. Why this nut? Why not coffee? Tea? There would be tons of things I could imagine, but not this nut. Well, that's a Taiwanese thing and I'm neutral on this. I think these girls are old enough to know what they're doing ;) (I hope so...)
@Adamantixx: Yes. But I doubt you'll like the nut. One of my followers says it's unhealthy and destroys your teeth, hehe.
@Kit: Yes, I have no problem, if men would sell these nuts, haha. I don't eat them anyway. The thing is just, most customers of these nuts are older men, usually bus and truck drivers, so they target this group with this. Fact is, if they put men in speedos selling these nuts, they would not sell any. That's how marketing works.
But it does make me wonder, if it's really necessary for these girls to wear such outfits? Wouldn't they sell nuts, if they dressed normally? Because if these men are addicted to chewing these nuts, then they would buy anyway, right? No idea. Definitely need more insight into the Taiwanese betel nut culture.
@Mel: I haven't bought anything and I won't buy. I may try to chew a little, if someone offers me, hehe. I wanna try.
@Shingo: >_< haha
@Krissy: I didn't get anything, no :)
@Lizzy: Well, the nut is not silly. People are, haha. It's just one of nature's wonders, but the people choose to chew it and it may not be intended by nature. I've also read about the bad effects of chewing and it's a turn off for me, don't wanna be addicted to that :P Coffee is enough, hehe. Anyway, if I try once and chew a little, will I get dizzy and harm my teeth?
@Roxy: No, haven't bought, have no idea how you buy in Chinese, what's the procedure, how many is common to buy. I won't buy, but I wanna try one day, if I am offered some :)
March 12, 2010 12:39 PM
I just wouldn't like my girlfriend to be doing that. That's all i can say.
March 12, 2010 4:31 PM
I got you point. I'm aware that look sells, and I'm aware that probably i.e. an airline company will hire the young sassy girl over the chubby looking boy. But there is one huge difference. That if it was established a pattern of such gender biased hiring policies then they would have a discrimination lawsuit at their hands. And if they in addition were made to wear sexy clothing, then they would be served with a sexual harassment suit too.
And no, I haven't seen an obese stewardess but I'have seen plenty of old one and plenty of male ones. So there is no gender bias and they are not made to wear sexy clothes to attract the opposite sex like you said these girl selling nuts were.
But didn't come over to debate something I think we're pretty much on the same page at. The only thing we're disagreeing on as I see it is how often it occurs and to what extend, and perhaps Norway has stricter labor laws then Slovenia making me less used to it. I came over to ask why you follow then unfollow? Is there a problem? Just curious :o)
March 12, 2010 4:46 PM
Just saw your reply to kit and yes "Definitly need more insight into the belt nut culture". lols
March 12, 2010 4:47 PM
U should check with your insurance b4 u do anything like that. Hahahaha... It may violate a policy term. XD
Humans are so gullible. Chew this for an increased that. Eat that for better this. Drink this for a virile what. All nuts...
March 12, 2010 4:51 PM
@Saša: It's not really the best job in the world, but usually they employ girls from the poorer land side areas of Taiwan and for them (I assume) it's a good job. And actually there's nothing sleazy about this, has nothing to do with paid sex, even if some may misunderstand the signals they send with those dresses (so I heard.) And yeah, I'd not wish my girl to work as betel nut vendor, too.
@Carina: Thanks for the debate, it was a good one :) When I said I need more insight on this issue, I meant I need to understand why is that common in Taiwan, I need to hear more opinions from the people here, because that's definitely a uniquely Taiwanese thing :)
Thanks for reminding me about that following thing. No, I didn't unfollow you on purpose, it must have been some problem. And when I followed you back, surprisingly my Blogger profile pic was empty, I had to upload a pic from my laptop O_o Weird. Did they change any settings? Or did I mess up? I just unfollowed one blog recently, that's all. But you know, I follow you and I like you and you're always in my Google Reader. That Google Friend Connect is my secondary way of following.
@Lizzy: Haha... All nuts, indeed. Figuratively and literally :P
March 12, 2010 6:26 PM
wow, if only the roadside vendors here all looked like her ^^
March 12, 2010 10:06 PM
@Jamapainese: then you would be delighted, huh? :)
March 12, 2010 10:44 PM
i wanted to be a betel nut girl growing up cuz they're always sooo pretty, i told my dad that when I was like 6 and he definitely smacked me LOL.
March 13, 2010 1:27 AM
@Julie: LOL at you :P
March 13, 2010 1:42 AM
Wow, bro, it's been long time since I get online and check out your blog. You really do a lot of update, it's fun to read since I haven't visited Taiwan, I know a lot from your blog now ^^
There are girls with same occupation back in my hometown. Only it's just sad to see that it's underage girls that are living on the streets due to the poverty level in my country is very high.
Anyways, good to know you're having a great time in Taiwan, I will visit your blog more often, it's very interesting ^^
March 13, 2010 11:20 AM
... revealing clothes, I see :)
That would be a very good way to pull in buyers; I hope the girls don't get into trouble coz of the clothes. These kinds of things happen, right? Hope you're having a great weekend!
March 13, 2010 11:25 AM
Hey Lil'Bro, sorry I've not been reading up your Taiwanese Escapade of late. Looks like alot of catching up to do.
Anyway, the girl in your pic looks decent enough, not too skimpy but good God, if they were to stripped down to only their undergarments, I don't think it will a nice sight! Such thing will never happen here in Malaysia.
Why la why? Why women are willing to reveal so much of themselves just to make some bucks?!
March 13, 2010 1:52 PM
about the nuts.
I guess it is like smoking weed in the West. No one talks about it, yet everyone did it at least once.
about the girls.
I've read a little about them here and there. Some people seem to link them to prostitution, others deny this link. Overall I agree what you wrote previously. In many places beautiful women are hired (hired guns) to lure the customer. It happens all over the world and there is nothing wrong with it.
好好学中文, then you can ask them what's really going on in their life and make some interview.
Carina Blogarina wrote
People shouldn't hire based on looks and people shouldn't objectify woman like that.
How do you think about some engineering position? They only hire people with big brains. Maybe we should also introduce equality rights here as well? High school dropout - Normally we would hire you to be our manager, but as we need to fulfill some quota, here you go.
Think about it. Everywhere we hire specialists today. No one would ever complain. Except when it comes to business where beauty is required to lure customers then it's all unfair.
March 13, 2010 7:59 PM
In my post I made a mistake. Second last paragraph...
Normally we would hire you to be our manager, but as we need to fulfill some quota, here you go.
should read instead:
Normally we would not hire you to be our manager, but as we need to fulfill some quota, here you go.
March 13, 2010 8:02 PM
ours not sold by young gurls though... old woman or old man.... theirs sound more "interesting" ehhehee....
March 13, 2010 9:48 PM
@Selvy: Hey, no problem. Thanks for dropping by. I know you're busy ;) Good luck to you. And sure, drop by here anytime, you were missed. A lot is going on indeed. :)
@r u s s: I haven't heard about these girls getting into trouble here because the way they dress. Of course too skimpy is not allowed and they still do it sometimes. They may get fined.
@Wenny: It's not only women, it's men, too. Look at big David Beckham posters on buildings only in his underwear. Why? Cuz he can earn a lot :)
@Junjie: You really nailed it and I agree with you. I tried to make the same point. If some people condemn these girls, then they should condemn all the other zillion jobs, where people are also sorted out based on beauty.
Anyway, you said it best, I have nothing to add :)
@Lily Riani: You also have old women and men selling them here, hehe. But I guess that's not so interesting to blog about ;)
March 13, 2010 11:12 PM
the betel nut girl is very common in taiwan... singapore can never be like them in any way, because of our cultures and it may also invite more crime.....
March 13, 2010 11:17 PM
@Adeline: I know Singapore is very different :) But these girls here are common and they're just normal girls, nothing sleazy about them :)
March 13, 2010 11:30 PM
yup, they are just normal everyday girls... but if they were to be in spore, most girls will think they are slutty because of their dressings and such...which is unfair to them.
March 13, 2010 11:49 PM
@Adeline: I get what you mean. Thanks for clarifying :)
March 13, 2010 11:51 PM
I never heard of a betel nut not to mention a hot girl associated to one!
I have no issue with good looking people showing off their assets. Yes, there is a time and place for it (like don't look like a stripper at a formal business interview!) but sex and good image sells. I like looking at good looking people dressed well or dressed scantly LOL.
And thanks for the comment in my hair :) I deep condition my hair weekly and started using coconut oil in my hair also. It really helps with split ends - maybe your girl can try that?
March 14, 2010 1:48 AM
@Karen: Thanks, I think we agree on the betel nut issue :P
And thanks for your tip regarding split ends. I'll tell my girl. You're too kind :)
March 14, 2010 1:57 AM
I won't write about the morality or not of such a marketing use... because who am I to judge...
The girl is beautiful indeed!
March 14, 2010 6:37 AM
Wow I think that's a pretty degrading job...
March 16, 2010 5:28 AM
@Daisy: Good comment :)
@Ko0ty: Well, some say it's degrading, some not. Thanks for sharing :)
March 16, 2010 5:35 AM
That betel nut girl looks a lot like the one that was beat up by a policeman near my house this week.
April 8, 2010 11:01 PM
@Sander: Wow, really? Why would a policemen do that?? That's crazy.
April 8, 2010 11:04 PM
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