6/25...The New York Times (perhaps you've heard of it?) investigates the globalization of maid cafes with the help of a Very Special Friend.
“The concept started off as a club for the loneliest guys in the world,” said Patrick Macias, editor in chief of Otaku USA magazine. “Here at last was a place where single young otaku men could go and interact with kind women, and also get lukewarm hamburgers and lousy cake.”
Link: 'Service With a Wink to a Japanese Fad'
(Usual annoying registration may be required)
Oh, MORE-ay.
You know what I realized? The whole cloying "I am at your service thing" works in Japan because the "culture" is still pretty friendly to the idea of subservient women. Graft that onto equality-loving America, and it just seems like some creepy ironic throwback.
Posted by: Marxy | June 24, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Personally, I think people are dying for even semi-decent service with a smile here. But, yeah, there's something really regressive - and flat-out not sexy - about a white woman in a maid uniform.
Posted by: Patrick Macias | June 24, 2008 at 10:03 PM