I have been getting an awful lot of email from people about my posts on betel nut, the popular recreational stimulant sold in Southern Asian and Pacific countries. Part of its appeal appears to be the cute young women who sell it.
Here’s a guy who has taken some videos of the girls who sell betelnut in Taiwan.
I have long been interested in the the scantily clad girls that you see on the side of many roads in Taiwan selling betelnut. Interested not just because of their obvious physical charm but also because this is a phenomenon that seems so uniquely Taiwan. Betel nut girls are a modern rendition of the drive inn restaurant girls that you used to see many years ago in Canada and the US – minus the french fries and a few inches of clothing. Betelnut is “enjoyed” throughout Asia and is best enjoyed when you don’t want to sleep as they function as a mild (or not so mild) stimulant.It can be difficult to photograph or interview these girls, which is something I have wanted to do, as for numerous reasons they do not trust your intentions. Their bosses need to be treated with care as well as it is rumoured that many are in colusion with the local mafia. We did manage one Friday morning at 2 AM to talk with one friendly and probably bored girl in Hsinchu.
(The image here is from a video depicting “Clark and Ruby try[ing] their first taste of unaltered betel nut at the betel nut stand.”)