Sunday, August 31, 2008

Working in Costumes


Photo credit: OiMax

Everyone is looking for that fun job that you can enjoy and there are plenty. At Sonics you get to skate around and serve people and engineers seem to work at Google because of the playground environment; let's face it: we all want to have an exciting job and sometimes that'll even makeup for the low wages.

Crazy as it may sound, cafes in Tokyo actually hire young, cute girls that will dress up like elegant maids and serve their customers, which are mostly men, like masters. Many Japanese people, even families, are into "costume playing" or dressing up like anime characters and a few years ago the first maid cafe was created in a city in Tokyo. Service is a lot different than a regular restaurant or cafe and the workers treat their customers with great respect.

So who actually comes to these cafes? Young boys and rich men? Not quite, but close. Most of the customers end up being geeks that read the manga and watch the anime shows on TV. I find it rather amusing.

I think the whole idea of working in costumes is an interesting idea, but I think I would get tired of it in the end. The maid costume is cute and certainly more creative than an ordinary work dress code, but the whole job working as a maid sounds very demanding. So what's your idea of a fun job?

38 comments:

A BIT COQUETTISH said...

fashion stylist or fashion editor! =)

but dressing up sounds really fun too =)

LCL said...

I agree that working in a costume would get old after a while
personally I think opening a bakery and looking polished/casual all the time is a dream job but I've been watching a lot of mad men recently so maybe if I take a time machine I can be a trophy wife/secretary
=]

Tricia said...

i hope those maids make great tips, because that's definitely not my idea of a fun job!

Unknown said...

I'm already a waitress, and hoping to open my own cafe in the next couple of years...i guess a costume is just a different uniform, and the idea of customers actually respecting you is great...not that most of my customers aren't nice, but they can be just a tad patronising sometimes!

Unknown said...

Great comment, Fashion Herald! I have to agree. Although, dressing up SOMETIMES is actually fun.

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

Dream job...perhaps get paid to travel and buy clothes...maybe a personal shopper? Not sure I would ever go for it though...
I remember seeing girls with flyers for these cafes, though I never went to one. It looked fun but it also seemed really sad...like they were being objectified, you know?

Annie said...

publicist. Like in cheap books where they get to judt go the partys and write about them the next day. Although, I think expenses would need to cover wardrobe costs, and it would get boring after like, a month... I think modelling would be fun... shoots and stuff.

S (formerly of Modern-Guilt) said...

I think that's so cool how they do that in Japan...wish we had creative fun restaurants like that here! I must say I definitely wouldn't want to work in a costume all the time though :)

Anna Pope said...

I'm in a Batman phase so maybe dressing up as batgirl? Just kidding (more or less ;D)

It's be fun to be able to dress up daily, it would make work so much more interesting!

Syed said...

Haha only in Tokyo, that would be a pretty fun job, but I can imagine it might get a little creepy at times :s

Little Bow Prep said...

Something with shopping and style for sure. :)

Daniela Valdez said...

I think It would be fun to be one of those persons that buy for stars, I would love to buy clothes for SJP, Mischa Barton or the Olsen twins :)

Human Racing said...

It would be fun for like a week then I think I would get really tired of it. I've heard about these though.

Vintage Lollipops said...

Great site, and I confess... I love the 'dress-up' pic. It screams a strange sort of job diversity! lol

RILEY said...

sounds like a pretty interesting job. i guess it's different in every country... and i definitely wouldn't mind getting a few non-bitchy waitresses every once in a while.

TINA said...

Interesting post!
That sounds really cool, but I agree, I would get tired of it.

Style On Track said...

I would love to wear an outfit like the one in your picture every day for work, I think it might actually make work fun ;)

Grayburn said...

I heard about a cafe in Japan where western men dress up as princes and serve the women customers as princesses!

I love Japan for believing in not being ashamed of indulgences.

Grayburn

Unknown said...

i think the outfits are kute! and i'm all for dressing up in costumes... i've heard they opened a maid cafe in Toronto!

the assistant said...

Fashion editor all the way!!!

AusAnna said...

this is really great writing. i love Japan and all its quirkyness, but i dont think i could dress up like a maid all day. ahaa

Anonymous said...

Wow, this post is awesome. I would love wearing costumes to work. Kind of like when you're five and wear a princess costume just because you can!

fash said...

i'd love a job with freedom and flexibility, and after too many bad waitressing jobs, one NOT in the catering industry. although a job with food would be pretty sweet.
but maybe customers would treat you nicer if you were all dolled up like that...

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I guess it's because I am not used to seeing people in costumes, but I don't think I'd like to dress up for work. My one day a year (Halloween) is sufficient enough for me =)

Anonymous said...

I read an article on these cafes a while back although it focused on a cafe aimed at nerdy young women where they are served by boys dressed up as private school students!

Very mad and funny. When I visit Japan I so want to go to these sort of places :)

Anonymous said...

my idea of a fun job is anything that involves wearing nice clothes to work =D

Luna said...

I'd like to work in a 50's diner with a cute costume.

yiqin; said...

I'd love to be a personal shopper!!!! Shop AND get paid! WHY NOT?!?

Siru said...

I once saw th eepisode where Kelly Osborne worked as one. Watch it.


juliet xxx

Ariella said...

I love the idea of a fun working costume.... It surely makes the day more interesting, if only you wouldn't be tired of it in the end.

Ida said...

You are such a darling!! I am really honored to be your blog of choice as of late, thank you xxxxx

Blonde hair, Blue jeans said...

that uniform look a litle bit uncomfortable for attending clients, don't they?¿
whatever, they catch your attentioN!

Kristy said...

im going to Tokyo in a few days
and will post some outfits that i see

i agree, it would be a little weird

check my blog about early October...
should have the photos up by then

Nicole Then said...

haha, they have one cafe like that in Singapore. as for who goes there...hm, I'm not sure. I'd like to think it's really those who love jap animae and manga.lol

Anonymous said...

i guess ur right. but dressing like maids for the purpose of fun and increasing customer retention is a good idea. :)

jules
http://www.soloden.com
http://www.solofoodtrip.blogspot.com

Fashion Trend Guide said...

Any job where I can wear what I want and travel!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, Miss Addict, what a fabulous lot of posts I've just caught up on!

I think doing precisely what we're doing right now is the perfect job, we are really very fortunate. Difficult at times as well, but working with the Spousal Unit again was always a dream for both of us and here we are!

Your thoughts on the fashion industry are excellent, synthesizing something that is very difficult to translate for civilians.

Glad to be back in the flow of reading!
tp

Anonymous said...

Dear Miss F. Addict,
As a live in maid for a family of 6 I see no reason why anyone would find wearing a maids uniform (or costume) as a fashion statement. My day uniform of calf length pink dress,white cap and pinafore apron could never be considered as desirable as a working "costume". I regulary have to follow Madam, wearing my maids uniform while she walks the dogs in the park, I follow so she doesn't have to pick up little Perky and Missys do dos. Fashion uniform, I don't think so.....
Kim.