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!
May 13th, 2008 at 6:03 am
I don’t know about any inferiority complex - is that what’s sparking “yellow fever” among so many white males? Probably not. Why is it different? Because Asians are inferior?
May 13th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Regarding “yellow fever” among white males, Wikipedia notes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_fetish
Nevertheless, I have met some men who expressed to me they liked Japanese girls specifically because they were submissive. However, my personal experience is that classifying all girls in Japan as being submissive is far too simplistic.
While it’s only anecdotal I once met a man who told me how happy he was with his “Japanese wife” because she was so submissive. Another man I met was downright irate when his wife would not act according to his stereotypical expectations of her as a “Japanese wife.” In both cases it troubled me that each of them had attempted to marry a stereotype.
The fact that many people in Japan do *incorrectly* have feelings of inferiority towards occidentals is pretty well documented, I think. I think this is changing a lot though, and the younger generations feel this much less than the older generations. In general though this is again too simple, feelings people have towards foreigners in Japan are pretty complex and mixed for each individual.
My own opinion about the place above is sort of like, “whatever, dude.” The exotic is always interesting. I do wonder how much attention a place like this would get in a America. For example, a pub catering to male white customers (though not exclusively) by having all Asian waitresses that pampered the guests. Are there such places?
Again my response would be whatever, but I’m sure some people would argue it was enforcing stereotypes.