Butler’s cafe
Posted by Matt Dioguardi on February 24th, 2008
For those with an interest in this type of thing, here is a funny article in the Japanese press today about a “butler’s cafe”. I don’t doubt other blogs on Japan have reported about this already.
Here’s the Japanese blurb:
You have to make reservations and pay about 5000 yen, but then you are treated like royalty by a cadre of European/American butlers. At each table there is a bell. When you ring it a butler will come immediately asking, “hai, ohimesama”. Both hugs and English lessons are available.
I’m feeling a little sick so I’ll stop here.
Click here and you’ll go to the home page for the cafe.
Is this discrimination of some sort? Does it reveal latent inferiority complexes against white skinned people by some in Japan? Does it tell us what girls really dream of in Japan? Is this really what English teaching is all about in Japan (and therefore a more honest direct approach)? What does it all mean? Only outright spam will be moderated so please feel free to comment if you’d like to!
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
The maid cafe, imoto (little sister) cafe, the butler’s cafe, and the gymnasium (boy’s boarding school) cafe are just a form of the costumeplay restaurants, which are manifestations of the otaku culture. The former two cater to male otakus and the latter to female otakus. I’m not surprised that one business struck on an idea to hire western men as butlers to set it apart from the rest. When butler’s cafe first opened, I saw in the TV news that some female clients preferred old men to act the role of butlers and businesses had difficulty finding them. I guess it’s hard to find men in their fifties and sixties who have an understanding of the otaku culture.
It has nothing to do with inferiority complexes. More like fetish, obsession, and fantasy which thrive on the manga, anime, and game culture.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Sounds like the kind of place you go to relax after a hard day serving your japanese husband!! I’m in!