www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Taiwan/photo57647.htm
Note Guidelines Photographer's Note This photo is not exactly what it may appear. The girl you see is not involved in the sex trade, she is one of Taiwan's infamous betel nut girls. Betel nuts are chewed throughout much of Asia and are a stimulant, quite addictive and highly disgusting, at least to my western eyes. The yellow cup she is giving her customer is used to catch the red saliva/drool/spit that is created when people chew the betel. I guess it is quite obvious why the betel nut girls are infamous. They are young, good looking and dressed to appeal to their primarily male clientelle. Although I have not seen it, I have heard stories of certain betel nut girls wearing clothing much, much more revealing than what you see here (think clear plastic, perhaps a thong, that's about it). As it is though, her outfit is provocative to say the least. I need to get a shot of the typical storefront of a Betel Nut girl, they are further suggestive of the sex industry; all glass front, the girl sitting in a stool looking attractive, neon pink lights surrounding the window. It is important to note the location of this photo as well. It was not taken in Taipei, but in Hsin Tien, probably less than 500m outside of the city of Taipei. The city has been pretty effective in moving the betel nut girls outside of city limits. However, the area here, joins into the highway leading south and virtually all traffic on the street was in the City of Taipei just minutes earlier. Anyways, this guy has pulled over to stock up, probably for a trip down the highway (remember, the nuts are stimulants). To be honest, I was quite surprised that the girl saw I was taking a photo, yet seemed to take very little notice of me. Fil, remember, this is one I told you I had been working on.
I'm starting to really appreciate to see your photos day after day. Not only because they are indeed very good photos, but also because your notes are interesting and full of details. Each time I open one of your thumbnails I learn something.
Compo wise the photo is excellent as well with a simple background and just the car and the betel nut girl doing her thing. Lucky, too, that there was no traffic in the background. This is what TE is all about, Darren, so thanks for bringing Taiwan (and lovely Taiwanese betel nut girls) closer to home.
Thanks for sharing this different photo of daily life on Taiwan - I never heard of this phenomenon before - but perhaps about the betel nut. Where comes the money in - I presume she's not doing this for free. I like your composition with a blurred background - You got the right moment - very fine work and note Darren.
Wonderful picture together with the fine and informative note - so much in TE spirit, Darren! You really captured a perfect moment of no other traffic around, so the scene could have more impact.
Great photo and explanation - actually, betel nut is not all that bad. If you don't use the lime powder, it doesn't turn red... And in the maldives they mix it with cloves which definately adds to the flavor. As you can tell, I have tried betel in my travels, particularly Sri Lanka and Irian Jaya, but I have never had it served up this way.
I recall to have read Fil's earlier request in a comment/posting somewhere. So there you are Darren, what an excellent documentary picture! Accompanied by a perfect note, thank you for sharing both. Cropping the green background including the girl's head, would perhaps increase the feeling of street photography...
I remember chewing betel nut once - it was one of the most disgusting things I've ever eaten. It felt like my tongue was being cut by a razor blade, and afterwards it was painful to even drink water.
Betel chewing is also practiced by the natives in Sabah but without the contemporary service as noted by you in the photo. This reminded me to get a potrait shot of a native, chewing betel. Pretty graphic I would imagine with the red saliva,on the lips and teeth.
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