Host bars in Korea - women paying for company

[enimmead]

Heard this today.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01lv4np/Crossing_Continents_Korea_Host_Bars/

It's an interesting take on hostess bars. Rich women go to these bars after work to basically have male company provided by the bar. The programme explores the role of women in what is a traditional patriarchal society but is now changing. Later on in the programme, a new type of women only bar is discussed where men are available for talking (and only talking - no physical contact at all allowed) because the women just want to chat about things without the worry that the man just wants sex.

I think in some Asian countries there is a growing market for rent-a-boyfriend services so that young working women being pressured by parents about marriage and kids can take a nice young man to meet their parents and relieve the pressure a bit. No sex involved.

I was going to Google 'Rent A Boyfriend' to find a link but thought better of it.

There have been host bars in Japan for decades, though I don't know anyone who goes to them. Anecdotally, one of the mainstays of the clientele is women who also work in hostess clubs etc, taking their turn to call the shots, get some attention & flattery etc.

Personally I just can't see the attraction of paying for someone to flirt with you, of whatever gender, and I think it's a bit demeaning for the people providing the service - but possibly no more so than being a hairdresser or whatever and having to tell all your clients they look fabulous.

news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9744000/9744718.stm

Er... just listened to this I imagine it's the same program and it's clear that the women, some of them at least are having sex with the male hosts.

"Seoul correspondent Lucy Williamson spoke to male host "James" about his work, and how some women may want more than just sex. "

linky

me and OH went to the gambia a few years ago, theres loads of sex tourism there and it's mostly midle-aged white women who go to hang out with mucsle-bound black adonises, i dont know how much sex actually go's on of course but there is no doubt these men expect some kind of payment for there time.

mrgin - yes, I know that the host bars can involve sex. It was the last part of the report where the new bars were being discussed where no contact is involved that I was talking about.

The amount of money these women were spending is astonishing. $500 a night.

I've just never heard of these before.