Love Shack

Hong Kong reader Stephen Frost sent an e-mail containing a story, triggered by this image in one of my photo galleries, titled Signs of the Times.

His tale was amusing; I thought I'd share it. He won't mind.

I passed by a love hotel every day for about 2 1/2 years as I exited the Yau Ma Tei MTR station (Exit C).

Just before I moved to another job, I mustered up the courage to go upstairs (why are these places always on the Second Floor?) and talk to someone who worked there. As it turned out there were two old ladies sitting at the desk. They rented out the rooms to the predominantly mainland woman who worked the streets around that area. The mainlanders would rent the room for three weeks (the duration of their visa) and bring their clients up when they got one (I forget the room rates, but I did learn that some of the women were charging as low as HK$80 for "minor services" - a shocking indictment on Hong Kong wages for working people I thought).

The rooms were tiny and I got into a very risque conversation about why I'd come up on my own! They were wonderful old ladies who teased me mercilessly, made rude jokes and laughed a lot: in short, the kind of people I love meeting. They had been involved in the sex industry around YMT for decades, and remembered when the hourly hotels did a roaring trade from the spas and bars around there.

These days, according to them, the sex industry has virtually relocated to the mainland - like manufacturing. Lots of mainlanders come down on short visits and undercut local women. Some make quite a lot of money during their stay apparently, but it can be a violent business.

I learnt more in the hour or so they talked than I could ever have gathered from reading on the topic. I have no idea if they are still there (I spoke to them several years ago) and they seemed ancient then). I can't begin to imagine what they must have seen in their lives.

They did a bit of business while I stood there chatting (a few women came up with clients in tow), but it was clear that many rooms were empty and they weren't exactly making vast amounts of money. I was so scared taking the lift (or Rlevator). I had no idea what I'd find. That I discovered two old ladies generous with their time and memories was well worth conquering my fear.

BWG: educating you about love shacks since 1998.

← Older Posts · 早前 | →