[Lunatique]

Tina dragged me out tonight to meet some of her old acquaintances in show biz. I hated it. So did she, but she was too polite to refuse.

These acquaintances of hers(film directors, actors, singers, make-up artists, musicians, artist..etc)all gathered at some karaoke joint, with "companions" swarming the place. ("companions" are polite terms for chicks you pay to sit down and "keep you company." You can then negotiate a deal to "take her out.") I only agreed to go because one of her acquaintances used to be Trey-Jian's drummer(Trey-Jian is the God father of rock & roll in China). But, the guy ended up acting more like a businessman, just like every one else.

That's just how it is in China. You'd think these creative people would sit down and talk about creative things, exchange ideas, debate art, film, music...etc. But, no, all they do is drink themselves silly, sing lousy old-fashioned Chinese songs, and have "companions" come in and out of our VIP room.

These "companions" are a mixed bag. Some are drop dead gorgeous, some are just cheap looking. There are the greedy whores that wants to make money, or marry a rich guy, then there are ones from poor families, and that's the only way to make enough money to send home. Some are aspiring models, actresses, singers, and these karaoke/night club places are typically owned by people either in the show biz, or have heavy connections there.

It's so sad to see an innocent looking, extremely cute, young girl(maybe 17 or 18 yrs-old), switching from table to table, walking uncomfortably in her skimpy, tight outfit. She probably only wanted a chance to be a star, yet she gets used by these people, living day to day with dirty men's finger prints all over her body.

Some girls who have been doing it for a while, all have that "fuon-tsen" aura about them.(fuon-tsen loosely translates into "experienced in the dark, seedy, night life, and knows how to play the game like a pro.")

If these beautiful girls weren't born in China, they'd probably live very different lives. Some would be famous models, singers, actresses, while some would just lead normal lives. Hell, even the ones that do make it to stardom, paid the price of sleeping with every director/producer that "helped" them along the way. Sure, this shit happens in Hollywood, or the show biz in general across the world, but it's especially common in China.

I find it very sad that when you see a beautiful girl walking down the street here, there's a 70%-80% chance that she works as a "companion" or has been "bao"ed by a rich guy.("Bao" means when a rich dude likes a "companion" so much, he wants her exclusively to himself. So, he pays her to be his mistress/GF, and she will no longer take other customers. Sometimes, these "lucky" girls end up marrying their rich customers.

Before I met Tina, I've been dragged to these places before. I'm the kind of guy who doesn't even step into strip clubs, even when I dated a stripper. I'm not a prude at all(kind of obvious, eh?), but I just think it's silly to spend money to have girls show interest in you. I bet I wouldn't feel this way if I had been born looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. So, on the other hand, if it wasn't for these "companions," a certain percentage of the male population would be virgins forever.

When I was dragged to one of those places(by my mom's friends of all people!), I just treat these "companions" like normal people. I don't cop a feel, or treat them like sub-human sex servants. I talk to them like a human being. These girls would notice right away that I'm not like their typical customers, and they would immediately stop playing their slick games with me and talk to me like a friend too. I've heard some pretty sad life stories from these girls. Most would exchange phone numbers with me, wanting to be friends, but I never called any of them.

I wish our society wasn't so fucked up. I wish everyone could live the kind of life they wanted to, with the same opportunities. But, this is the world as we know it.

[ May 09, 2002: Message edited by: Lunatique ]

[Impaler]

I coudln't imagine such a stifling and oppressive environment, where the heat and stink of poverty press into your face, and petulant exploitation grows into unimpeded corruption.

Move back to America, homie.

[pixelsoldier]

I don't want to start a flamewar, but Impaler... what you just described sounds a lot like America to me.

Move to Canada! We have less power, but great beer.

In all seriousness, that really does sound like a rather putrid environment to be a part of. Still, being that it is soooooooo incredibly different from the life I lead, I found your story to be somewhat exciting. I think you're pretty blessed to have experienced so many different lifestyles in your still very young life. You'll end up being an incredibly grounded and well-rounded individual... if you already aren't.

[Pat]

FLAME ON!



God, what is it with you Canadians hating America? I've been to Canada several times and it was NOTHING SPECIAL. Why do so many Canadians online diss the U.S.?

-Pat

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Pat ]

[Trance-R]

I don't diss America~
I TRASH IT! LOL. j/k j/k.

Pat, I think what you just said is over generalizing Canadians. I can't see an universally good reason for every Canadian to hate America. Hell, I know a few people who cheer on the US hockey teams instead of our own.
Although... there are plenty of reasons for hating the politicians and capitalists of US. To my limited impression, the politicians usually eat their words. And the capitalists are overly money hungry (but we can't blame them for that).

[cheney]

quote

Quote:

Although... there are plenty of reasons for hating the politicians and capitalists of US.

Agreed, but thats not what Pat was talking about.

[Impaler]

You know, Trance, having a social medical system and higher taxes doesn't make Canada socialist. Your market and economic system is nearly identical to America's, which is democratic socialism.

Pat: It's the same, solitary tenet that is also the base of racism and sexism-- laziness. It's easy and fun to call America corrupt and capitalist and despicable, since it's so vague and baseless that you don't have to think, making it true. People are naturally mean, even if we wear flannel shirts.

[pixelsoldier]

Umm.. calm down patriot boy.

I don't think I said I hated America at all, did I? In fact, I quite like America.

It is simple fact that America has enormous pockets of poverty and oppression.

I admire America for everything it does for the world as a whole (including Canada). They are standing up for the entire world right now, and that deserves my total respect and admiration.

[Trance-R]

Pat: Mebe they're jealous.

Impaler: Yeah I know Canada adapts a social capitalism system.

[Pat]

My post isn't aimed at you, pixelsoldier. Your comments were just the staw the broke the camel's back, so to speak. In the past month or so I've seen several threads on numerous boards featuring intolerant (and presumably ignorant) Canadians lambasting the U.S. The stereotypes are annoying and their tone is hostile. The thread on eatpoo.com was so offensive it was deleted. My personal dealings with some artists in Canada for work also revealed a challenging and puzzling confrontational attitude concering the U.S. I'm just asking "What gives?"

Also, since you're offering, just what "enormous pockets of poverty and oppression" are you refering to?

[Loki]

WTF? How did we end up with bashing america again and how come only one person really commented on Lunatiques beautifully written and very interesting post?

Lunatique: dude - thanks for that view of that aspect of china. It's sad. But it usually happens - especially in a country where the difference between rich and poor is huge.
What I like is that you didn't complain about it being immoral (like many would) - but more mourned of the loss of innocence and the corruption of those young girls.

Thanks!

[ May 12, 2002: Message edited by: Loki ]

[Lunatique]

Loki- man, it would break your heart to see what I've seen here, especially that you have a soft spot for Asian cuties.

Yeah, I have no idea why the whole "Canada hates America" thing is happening AGAIN. Jeeeesus, we are beighbors for crying out loud. There are much worse countries to hate.

[GatoNegro13]

Well luna, first of all you DONT look like th hunchback of notredame....at all....

anyway that does sound alot like what happens in america...especially hollywood. but I didn't know that was so prevelent in china. that is very sad....very very sad.

[Lee Yiankun]

=_="
I come from thailand...
Where situations is worse than that of China's, We even got Child prostition!
Eventhough the public here is gettin serius about stoping Child prostitution, it still goes on.

That's the way the world is. And it isn't going to get better.