Hostess clubs, revisited

As reported by my wife

Dear readers, this one is a quickie.

In a story about hostess clubs I published in August 2022, Masuda-san (my interviewee) said that while most people think that those places are only located in posh districts and city centers, a few can be found in less-trafficked neighborhoods and residential areas, and actually do quite good business because there is less competition.

Yesterday I was reminded of Masuda-san’s remark when my wife told me about the conversation she had with a guy she knows.

For those who don’t know hostess clubs, they are places where pretty women with lots of makeup and elaborate hairdos chat and flirt with their male clientele while trying to make them buy as much overpriced booze as possible.

If you don’t understand why someone would spend his money that way, don’t ask me because I don’t know either.

Anyway, back to my story. I won’t get into the where/when/how details of this episode, but my wife was with three other ladies and the guy in question (let’s call him Tanaka). My wife has only known him for a few months. He is a quasi-autistic fellow in his mid-30s with suicidal tendencies (his mantra is, “life’s boring, I have nothing to do… I may as well die”). So he caused quite a sensation when, asked what he did in his free time, he said matter-of-factly, “I like women.” Well, fair enough, said my wife. And what do you do about that? “I sometimes go to a hostess club.”

BADABOOM.

After the ladies recovered from the shock, the following conversation ensued:

Lady A: How often go you go?

Tanaka: I’ve been there three or four times so far.

My wife: Where do you go?

Tanaka Fujisawa.

[Everybody’s jaws dropped. Because you see, Fujisawa is a smallish town and a popular destination for young day trippers in love with the “Shonan Coast lifestyle” - sand beaches, surfing, beach volleyball, etc. It’s not exactly a place one would associate with hostess clubs.]

My wife: Eeehhhh… I didn’t know there were hostess clubs down there. And what do you talk about with the ladies?

Tanaka: Nothing special. We don’t talk much, actually.

Lady B: It must be expensive. How much do you usually pay?

Tanaka: 5,000 yen. [About US$34]

[Everybody laughed. My wife started howling and hollering.]

My wife: What do you mean you only pay 5,000 yen?! They don’t even let you in for 5,000 yen.

Tanaka: Well, I only drink water.

[More laughter, more howling. The ladies probably pissed their pants.]

Lady C: And how long do you stay?

Tanaka: Last time, 50 minutes.

My wife: If you spend a little bit more, they may even let you squeeze their thighs!

Tanaka: (…)

Lady A: [looking disapprovingly at my wife] Tanaka-kun, you shouldn’t waste your money like that, you know.

GUY: I’ll try not to.

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