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Maid in the USA - A Visit to Royal/T

On a personal note:.. After meeting the girl dressed as a maid, I don't think she would be working there if she didn't want to. I mean, we're all adults (most of us anyway) and no one makes us do things we don't want to do... right???

I they ever do open up a more "traditional" maid cafe in the US, they just need to make sure to take to heart the lesson of the other similar successful business in America, Hooters. And that lesson is: spoiler[ Make sure to have really tasty hot-wings.]That'll be sure to bring in the customers.

Right now, I work at a factory for the summer and it sucks. You know why I stick with it? Because it will pay for my rent and schooling. I'm thankful I have a family that supports me fiancially, emotionally, etc. but there are people who don't have others to care for them. So, they take the jobs they don't want because they need the money to survive. After all, if the rent is due there isn't time to wait for another job.

I they ever do open up a more "traditional" maid cafe in the US, they just need to make sure to take to heart the lesson of the other similar successful business in America, Hooters. And that lesson is: spoiler[ Make sure to have really tasty hot-wings.]. That'll be sure to bring in the customers.

Do you really think the people who work at Fast Food wanted to work there? I'm a student and all the scholarships go to those who have a low income or have amazing marks. I'm middle class with good marks so I pay for my school by working crappy jobs that I don't want to do. Right now, I work at a factory for the summer and it sucks. You know why I stick with it? Because it will pay for my rent and schooling. I'm thankful I have a family that supports me fiancially, emotionally, etc. but there are people who don't have others to care for them. So, they take the jobs they don't want because they need the money to survive. After all, if the rent is due there isn't time to wait for another job.

Do you really think the school janitor wants to clean up vomit? Do you really think the people who work at Fast Food wanted to work there? I'm a student and all the scholarships go to those who have a low income or have amazing marks. I'm middle class with good marks so I pay for my school by working crappy jobs that I don't want to do. Right now, I work at a factory for the summer and it sucks. You know why I stick with it? Because it will pay for my rent and schooling. I'm thankful I have a family that supports me fiancially, emotionally, etc. but there are people who don't have others to care for them. So, they take the jobs they don't want because they need the money to survive. After all, if the rent is due there isn't time to wait for another job.

As much as you have my sympathy (my situation looks OK- a modest food budget and practically no drinking has left me with a few hundred quid left over from my loan for summer DVD purchases), the employees at the Café may not be in the same situation as you.
I assume there are some who do not mind being sexually degraded to the extent of wearing a maid costume, and if Sticks' testimony is correct then it appears such people exist.
If no other financially viable work for the maids exists then I think the problem is not to be found within the Café itself.
That said, the same issues could be raised about the pornography industry.

Before I left for college, I chose to work at McDonalds. I had a lot of friends who worked there, and it was fun for me. I think working in fast food/retail is a good experience, because it teaches you not to be a dick to those in the service industry.

My point is, you can't assume that all the girls at maid cafes are forced into it. I'm all about women's rights and progressive thinking, but if I was looking for a summer job, I'd totally work in a maid cafe. I like cosplaying, and I think those outfits are really cute. Plus, I think it'd be fun.

I've gone there several times. On previous occasions, the kitchen wasn't open yet - as art gallery owners they had no concept of what it takes to get anything with a kitchen open and inspected. There was one maid, Mayumi, whom others have remarked on. The owner tells me she takes the bus 45 minutes from K-town to be able to work there, and is having the time of her life. She loves her job, really enjoys the cosplay aspect, and, I must say, is the living embodiment of moe, for better or worse. I can't imagine anyone who's ever actually met her disliking her.

I also found that, since I'm studying Japanese, this cafe is a wonderful place to study. If you get stuck, just ask the maid!

This past Saturday I went back, knowing that they finally completed a successful health inspection a couple of weeks back. They were in full swing. The place is a smashing success. Rich art collector types were wandering in and out in bunches the whole time I was there, and they're not even having a specific event till June 11 or so. The owner was schmoozing up a storm. The cafe was crowded; there were almost no empty tables, and the one maid has now expanded to about six. The staff was stuck firmly in idle while waiting for the inspection. That's now changed. They've worked out most of the kinks, and service was fast, efficient, and with good food. Not that that's why you go to a maid cafe in the first place, but it doesn't hurt. You can still ask the maid if you get stuck on Japanese, of course.

The acid test comes next month, when 30,000 cosplaying animaniacs descend on AX about eight miles away. The owner tells me that AX came down recently to shoot some footage for a film loop they'll be running of "Things To Do In L.A.," so it seems likely that Royal-T will be something of a madhouse.

Finally, the atmosphere - it's welcoming, friendly and low-key. It's about the art and culture, not exploitation. This is a distorted mirror reflecting a culture which itself holds up a distorted mirror to our own. This place is just fascinating.