[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:02.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A female colleague asked me the other day,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:02.78,0:00:06.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What dose it feel like to know\Nthat people think you are a weirdo?"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.03,0:00:07.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.84,0:00:12.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And not wanting to admit that I didn't\Nknow people thought I was a weirdo,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.00,0:00:15.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said: "Well, I think that weirdos\Nlook at the world in a different way,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.44,0:00:19.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they try to see a little bit behind\Nthat which everybody accepts."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.08,0:00:22.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if that's the definition of a weirdo,\Nthen I'm happy to be called one.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.21,0:00:27.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I arrived in Taiwan 12 years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.12,0:00:30.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I learned about\Nthe thing called "betel nut."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.29,0:00:34.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was really surprised\Nand interested in this
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.09,0:00:37.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I'd never come\Nacross anything like this before.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.10,0:00:42.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, for the uninitiated, betel nut\Nis in fact a fruit, it's not a nut.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.38,0:00:45.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It grows on the areca palm tree.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.15,0:00:51.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it actually is chewed all over Asia.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.23,0:00:54.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's very popular and very\Ncommon all over Asia.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.68,0:00:55.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is a stimulant.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.80,0:00:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It contains something called arecoline,\Nwhich gives you a little bit of a rush.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.84,0:01:01.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chewing a betel nut is little bit like
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.71,0:01:05.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,drinking three cups of espresso coffee\Nimmediately after each other.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.67,0:01:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It needs to be activated,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.08,0:01:10.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so it gets wrapped in a leaf\Nwhich gives it some taste,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.86,0:01:15.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then on the inside of the leaf\Nthey put some paste -
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.48,0:01:19.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a white lime paste which actually\Nactivates the active ingredients.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.43,0:01:25.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, this then is a product\Nwhich doesn't look like very much.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.29,0:01:30.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So how do you sell this product\Nto people who are driving by your store?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.51,0:01:32.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.78,0:01:35.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could stand out there\Nand wave your betel nut
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.10,0:01:37.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I don't think that\Nis going to work, all right?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.49,0:01:38.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.49,0:01:41.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could put some\Nbright lights on your store,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.37,0:01:43.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but hey, every store in Taiwan\Nhas bright lights on it,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.97,0:01:46.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that's not going to\Nhelp very much either.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.50,0:01:49.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, then somebody about\Nsomewhere around the 1980s,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.79,0:01:55.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hit on the idea of getting a pretty girl\Nwearing a skimpy outfit
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.22,0:01:58.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to sit by the roadside\Nin your store with the bright lights
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.30,0:02:04.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and entice passing drivers to come into -\Nand stop, and buy your betel nut.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.10,0:02:07.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, when I arrived in Taiwan,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.58,0:02:10.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I saw these glass boxes\Nby the side of the road
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.09,0:02:11.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with pretty girls sitting inside,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.74,0:02:12.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what did I think?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.94,0:02:14.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Are they prostitutes?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.40,0:02:15.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.42,0:02:17.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Is it so open here in Taiwan?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.24,0:02:18.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.26,0:02:21.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That was - Obviously everybody\Nhas that thought at first.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.02,0:02:23.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I asked my foreigner friends:\N"What is the story here?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.78,0:02:25.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They say, "No, no,\Nthey just sell betel nut,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.89,0:02:29.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they sell drinks, and they sell\Ncigarettes, and nothing else."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.67,0:02:31.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm like, "Oh yeah, really. Right."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.69,0:02:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) OK.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.67,0:02:35.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when I asked the locals,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.80,0:02:37.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they all said: "Oh, bad girls, bad girls.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.77,0:02:40.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Don't even think about it.\NDon't even talk about it. OK?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.41,0:02:44.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No. They will do all kinds of things\Nin those betel nut stores of theirs."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.88,0:02:47.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then I started looking\Nat this, and I thought,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.22,0:02:49.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"How does it work? I don't understand.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.09,0:02:52.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can a girl sitting in a glass box\Nby the side of the road brightly lit
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.65,0:02:54.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,actually engage in sexual activity?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.99,0:02:57.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It doesn't actually make sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.23,0:03:01.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so I thought I wanted\Nto find out more about this.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.04,0:03:04.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being a documentary filmmaker, \NI'm interested in how things work
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.67,0:03:06.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how people think \Nand how people operate
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.76,0:03:08.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what's going on in the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.30,0:03:13.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so I decided I'm going\Nto look at this subject, research it,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.56,0:03:14.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,find out more about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.79,0:03:19.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and try and tell this interesting\Nand fascinating and totally unique story.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.32,0:03:23.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, as any filmmaker will tell you,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.42,0:03:27.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,access to your subject\Nis the most important thing.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.47,0:03:33.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found it very, very difficult\Nto connect up with the betel nut girls.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.89,0:03:35.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They did not want to talk to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.58,0:03:36.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They would generally -
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.48,0:03:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They actually don't want to\Ntalk to anybody.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.60,0:03:41.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They don't want to be photographed.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.52,0:03:45.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They say things like:\N"It's a shameful job."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.37,0:03:49.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They say things like: "My boss won't\Nlet you take photos of me or talk to me."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.27,0:03:53.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or they say: "My parents or my family\Ndoesn't know that I do this job."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.40,0:03:57.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But finally I met one girl\Nby the name of Jane.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.33,0:03:58.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At that time she was called Ada,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.93,0:04:02.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as Taiwanese girls sometimes do,\Nthey change their names.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.35,0:04:07.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she was the first girl to agree\Nfor me to take her photo,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.62,0:04:10.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to interview her,\Nto tape her, to record her.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.61,0:04:12.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it was really a breakthrough for me.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.76,0:04:17.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found that she was,\Nin many ways, a typical betel nut girl -
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.21,0:04:21.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dropped out of school; was doing\Nthis job for several years already,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.12,0:04:23.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,complained about being\Nharassed by men, things like that.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.92,0:04:26.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in many ways she was also\Nagainst expectations.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.36,0:04:28.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was very smart,\Nand she spoke really well.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.51,0:04:31.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she had a very good unstanding
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.43,0:04:33.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about exactly what it is that she's doing.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.82,0:04:37.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in that way she helped\Nto introduce me to this business.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.98,0:04:41.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that, in fact, is one of\Nthe very first photos I ever took
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.55,0:04:43.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of a betel nut girl with her consent.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.79,0:04:44.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, \N(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.88,0:04:49.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that's about 2003 or 2004.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.11,0:04:53.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I managed to work out a strategy
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.68,0:04:57.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for dealing with the betel nut girls,\Ngetting them to talk to me.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.35,0:04:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would become a customer first.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.32,0:05:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would buy coffee and cigarettes\Nfrom them, chit-chat,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.98,0:05:06.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then if I'd get a feeling\Nthat they would be interested to talk,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.18,0:05:09.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd get a female, Chinese-speaking\Nassistant to go with me,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.29,0:05:12.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we go and chat to them\Nand explain to them what I do.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.01,0:05:15.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found that when you\Napproach them in that way,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.06,0:05:17.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that all of us, everyone here\Nhas a story to tell.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.73,0:05:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's why we are here today, right?\Nbecause we have a story to tell.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.98,0:05:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you show a genuine\Ninterest in someone's story,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.70,0:05:26.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they will generally\Nbe happy to tell it to you.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.21,0:05:30.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I wanted to make a film.\NI couldn't get funding for it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.61,0:05:32.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The government wouldn't \Ngive money for a film
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.83,0:05:36.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that promotes this part\Nof the Taiwanese culture.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.89,0:05:40.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But eventually it sort of transformed\Nitself into a photography project.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.95,0:05:44.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,2007, I had my first photo exhibition.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.59,0:05:50.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And for some reason, that photo\Nexhibition just sort of hit a nerve.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.42,0:05:53.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the media picked it up\Nand went crazy about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.87,0:05:57.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This foreigner, being in Taiwan,\Nand looking at betel nut girls,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.70,0:06:01.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and showing Taiwanese people\Nsomething about their culture,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.19,0:06:03.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and looking at it in a different way,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.38,0:06:04.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the girls became very famous,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.88,0:06:08.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the stores down the road complained\Nthat I hadn't photographed their girls,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.60,0:06:10.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because these ones are getting more money.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.69,0:06:11.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.70,0:06:13.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so it went.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.71,0:06:16.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Discovery did a program on them,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.94,0:06:19.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and National Geographic did some stuff,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.91,0:06:22.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and some of them ended up on TV shows.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.55,0:06:24.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it was really just interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.96,0:06:28.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I say, it really just hit a nerve.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.03,0:06:30.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started to get a very good idea
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.94,0:06:35.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about what people in general\Nthink betel nut girls are,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.14,0:06:36.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what the realities are.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.86,0:06:39.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found that\Nthey are different things.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.08,0:06:43.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found that the betel nut girl issue
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.64,0:06:45.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has many, many layers;
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.68,0:06:47.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it has many, many sides;
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.42,0:06:49.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are no simple and clear answers.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.77,0:06:53.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And those are the kinds of things\Nthat I enjoy dealing with,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.19,0:06:54.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and having conversations about.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.84,0:06:56.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's all about the conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.46,0:06:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let's see, what is\Nthe betel nut girls business in?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.96,0:07:01.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it prostitution?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.59,0:07:05.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it girls who actually\Nare just prostitutes?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.47,0:07:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is the business run by gangsters?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.32,0:07:10.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The girls are all exhibitionists?\NThey all like to show off?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.00,0:07:12.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or not?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.35,0:07:17.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it some deep-seated and long-running\Nculture expression in Taiwan?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.54,0:07:19.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How about female exploitation?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.33,0:07:21.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are these girls exploited or are they not?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.91,0:07:25.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the scale of exploitation\Nthat perhaps all of us have to deal with,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.82,0:07:27.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where do they fall?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.63,0:07:31.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it maybe a form of female\Nempowerment? Who knows?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.46,0:07:34.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it just a blight on the landscape\Nand a heath issue, a health problem?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.98,0:07:37.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it just a job like any other?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.44,0:07:40.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or is it actually a form of urban art?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.68,0:07:45.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, the answer lies somewhere\Nalong in that whole spectrum.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.69,0:07:47.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let's take the first one, prostitution.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.69,0:07:48.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I mentioned,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.78,0:07:52.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doing business in a glass cage\Nis probably not going to actually happen.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.40,0:07:55.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I do believe that, in general,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.75,0:07:58.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the business is not, in fact,\Naround prostitution.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.41,0:08:01.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The business is around a pretty girl\Nsitting in a glass cage
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.38,0:08:04.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and selling betel nuts girls -\Nbetel nut, um -
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.68,0:08:05.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.72,0:08:08.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Freudian slip there -
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.56,0:08:09.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.63,0:08:12.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,etc., to passing motorists.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.57,0:08:15.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it a business run by gangsters?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.13,0:08:18.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, if you asked to take\Nsome of those bosses' photos,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.85,0:08:21.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they'll say: "Yeah,\Nbut just don't show my face."
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.17,0:08:23.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So yes, there are certain elements.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.44,0:08:27.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I find these days, more and more,\Nthe stores are actually run by women.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.33,0:08:32.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this woman in red is Ada's former boss.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.97,0:08:36.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she runs the business\Ncompletely by herself
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.23,0:08:40.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,together with their Indonesian maid\Nwho helps to prepare the betel nut there.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.30,0:08:46.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of the other women like May,\Nfor instance, manages the store.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.14,0:08:48.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She manages three other girls\Nand the store.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.47,0:08:50.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The boss almost never comes there.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.11,0:08:52.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She's totally in charge\Nof the place there.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.27,0:08:58.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do the girls have some\Nelement of exhibitionism to them?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.91,0:09:02.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, for sure, girls like to dress sexy.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.54,0:09:05.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They have competitions\Nwith each other to be sexy.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.45,0:09:09.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So sometimes, in some places,\Nin some areas they will look like this,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:09.42,0:09:11.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or they would look like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.03,0:09:13.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then all the girls\Nin the street complain
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.28,0:09:16.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they have to compete against that.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.23,0:09:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they don't like it, all right?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.64,0:09:22.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This, for instance, was quite\Nan interesting incident.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.36,0:09:23.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the few times that I saw
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.85,0:09:26.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really sort of overt behavior\Nfrom a betel nut girl,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.62,0:09:28.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because normally they're very prim.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.30,0:09:31.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're sexily dressed\Nbut their behavior is very prim.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.45,0:09:34.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was during a typhoon\Nabout three or four years ago.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.08,0:09:36.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The girls were actually working\Nin the middle of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.51,0:09:38.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I stopped and took photos.\NIt was amazing.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:38.60,0:09:41.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This girl was like jumping\Nup and down all the time,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.08,0:09:43.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the wind's catching\Nher dress, lifting it up.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.38,0:09:45.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After two or three times I'm like,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.01,0:09:47.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"You're doing it on purpose,\Naren't you? I could tell."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.60,0:09:48.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.60,0:09:53.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, generally speaking, as I say,\Nthe manner is actually quite prim.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.40,0:09:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's that balance between being sexy\Nand yet being somehow innocent
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.16,0:09:59.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I think men find interesting too.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.26,0:10:01.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How about culture?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.30,0:10:02.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So Taiwan,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.36,0:10:05.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or betel nut has been used\Nin Taiwan for hundreds of years
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.41,0:10:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by the Aboriginal people,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.86,0:10:12.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's a part of their love rituals,\Nmarriage rituals,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.55,0:10:17.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and also just simply\Nhospitality, you know.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.18,0:10:20.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When somebody visits your home,\Nyou are supposed to give them betel nut.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.55,0:10:24.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And there has been some research done.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.97,0:10:29.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My friend Daniel did his PhD.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.90,0:10:33.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And he had some really\Ninteresting information about
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.72,0:10:35.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during the Japanese period, for instance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.69,0:10:37.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,betel nut was completely\Neradicated in Taiwan.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.85,0:10:42.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Only the Aboriginal people\Ncould have one or two trees in their area
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.91,0:10:45.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to keep going
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.06,0:10:48.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because the Japanese \Nwanted to stamp out this habit.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.35,0:10:54.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But after the Japanese left,\Nthere was a resurgence in betel nut.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.43,0:10:59.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it became, to some extent, a very\NTaiwanese thing to chew betel nut.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.39,0:11:01.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It became part of the Taiwanese culture.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.81,0:11:05.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And even more recently, we have\Nthis idea of "Tai-Ke," right?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.04,0:11:07.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is very Taiwanese.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.06,0:11:10.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's very earthy; it's very down-to-earth.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.95,0:11:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, there's a large group\Nof people who call it low class.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.02,0:11:18.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But people like this guy, for instance,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.44,0:11:24.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he's the chairman of the betel nut\Nbusiness association in Taoyuan area.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.61,0:11:26.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I interviewed him, also from my phone.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.67,0:11:32.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And yeah, he's very typical of that very\Ngo-getter, businessman kind of guy,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.20,0:11:34.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and who's prompting\Nhis business in everything
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.36,0:11:36.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and very proud of being Taiwanese.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.11,0:11:40.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The girls themselves have a certain\Nmanner which I find quite interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.72,0:11:47.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just a little bit of idea from the way\Nthey talk, and the way they react.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.73,0:11:50.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Video) (Chatter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.30,0:12:02.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Video ends)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.21,0:12:04.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is just to show again
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.78,0:12:07.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the betel nut girls can sometimes\Nwear very little clothes
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.80,0:12:09.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but can actually be shy.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.59,0:12:13.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's also about the boundaries\Nthat they set up for themselves.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.95,0:12:16.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found that these girls\Nvery strict, very clear
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.93,0:12:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about what they're prepared to show,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.98,0:12:21.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what they're prepared to do,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:21.66,0:12:22.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what they're not.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.78,0:12:25.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And for instance,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.69,0:12:29.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Ada, one day, came out\Nof her store when I stopped,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.18,0:12:32.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was wearing her usual\Npretty see-through top,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.28,0:12:34.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so you could see her bra,\Nbut with a short skirt.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.88,0:12:38.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when she stepped out, the wind\Ncaught her skirt and sort of blew it up.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.43,0:12:41.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I thought, you know, nothing of it,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:41.06,0:12:42.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but she was so ashamed,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.76,0:12:47.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she crouched down\Nwith her face in her hands
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.15,0:12:48.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because she was so embarrassed.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.95,0:12:50.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was really surprised by this,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.44,0:12:53.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I realized that there was\Na boundary that had been crossed
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.68,0:12:55.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in that moment being I stopped there,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.72,0:12:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and her skirt blew up\Nso that one could see her underwear.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.32,0:13:01.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so I found that really interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.70,0:13:06.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The girls have to deal with things like\Nharassment from customers, for sure.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.61,0:13:10.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The guys will talk to them, they'll\Ntry to get them to go out with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.33,0:13:11.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things like that,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.45,0:13:13.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or will try to touch them sometimes.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.22,0:13:17.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And also, occasionally,\Nsome of the girls complain
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.14,0:13:20.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that guys will stop their cars and will\Nactually expose themselves to the girls.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.91,0:13:25.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So one of the girls, Shao Wen,\Nhas this board on her wall,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.91,0:13:27.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so she will write the registration number
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.90,0:13:30.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of any cars of any guys\Nthat give her trouble
Dialogue: 0,0:13:30.27,0:13:33.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that next time when they come,\Nshe just doesn't go out of her stand.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:33.63,0:13:35.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most of the stores\Nalso have security cameras.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.80,0:13:37.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the word on the street is,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.25,0:13:42.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you give a betel nut girl trouble,\Nher boss will see to you.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.07,0:13:43.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) And then -
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.81,0:13:46.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Shao Wen, who actually\Nalso owns her own store,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.56,0:13:51.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,also has something else that she can use\Nin case anybody gets frisky,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.80,0:13:54.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,though she does say\Nshe's never had to use it.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.71,0:14:00.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then I also like to show\Na little bit more closely sometimes,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.14,0:14:06.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,show the girl and give you\Nthe opportunity to stop and look,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.59,0:14:08.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because normally\Nyou'd just drive past, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.81,0:14:11.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All your interactions\Nwith betel nut girl would be fleeting,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.67,0:14:13.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would be just driving past -
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.10,0:14:16.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those of you who don't buy betel nuts\Nfrom betel nut girls.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.90,0:14:20.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So just looking at her\Nand seeing this girl,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.23,0:14:22.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is like two o'clock in the morning,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.16,0:14:24.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you can see\Nthe hours are getting long.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:24.53,0:14:27.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It tells you something, it shows you\Nsomething about the person.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.100,0:14:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, others, for instance,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:29.72,0:14:32.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can see there's a friendliness,\Nthere's a happiness -
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.77,0:14:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have not met any betel nut girls
Dialogue: 0,0:14:34.92,0:14:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who complain about\Nbeing coerced into doing this job
Dialogue: 0,0:14:38.44,0:14:41.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or coerced into wearing\Nclothes in a particular way.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:41.96,0:14:44.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The turnover in the stores is very high.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.10,0:14:47.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If she doesn't like what her boss\Nwants her to do, then she just goes.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.56,0:14:48.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She goes to the next store.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:48.92,0:14:50.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's not a problem with that.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.51,0:14:51.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK, about the health issue,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:51.80,0:14:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would just like to say very clearly
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.56,0:14:56.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that chewing betel nut\Nis not good for your health.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:56.00,0:15:00.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a very strong part
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.01,0:15:03.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of getting esophageal and mouth cancer
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.53,0:15:04.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for people who use it a lot.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:04.98,0:15:06.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You do have to chew it a lot.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:06.36,0:15:09.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not like you chew one and you\Nare going to have cancer tomorrow.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.84,0:15:14.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And especially when combined with\Ncigarettes, it's definitely a major issue.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.15,0:15:19.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in that part I want to say very clearly
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.09,0:15:22.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I support the troops\Nbut I don't support the war.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.62,0:15:24.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My issue is about the girls.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.32,0:15:26.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most importantly then,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:26.79,0:15:28.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just want to say
Dialogue: 0,0:15:28.10,0:15:33.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you look at the girl's\Ninteraction with the customers there ...
Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.67,0:15:35.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,girls getting bored...
Dialogue: 0,0:15:35.28,0:15:38.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, of course, I always take\Nsome photos to the girls
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.10,0:15:39.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to show them or to give to them.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:39.98,0:15:41.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They like that.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:41.45,0:15:45.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And - just going to skip through -
Dialogue: 0,0:15:51.25,0:15:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,OK.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:52.26,0:15:55.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, I think the conclusion\NI want to come to
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.80,0:16:01.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that this business\Nhas many, many layers,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:01.79,0:16:03.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and just as with life.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.33,0:16:07.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Somebody asked me before I started,\Nwhen I was preparing for this,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.23,0:16:09.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they said, "So, what is\Nthis idea worth spreading?"
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.66,0:16:11.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, the TED\N"ideas worth spreading."
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.98,0:16:15.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What is the idea worth spreading\Nabout the betel nut girls of Taiwan?"
Dialogue: 0,0:16:15.39,0:16:17.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I thought that's actually\Na very good question.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:17.61,0:16:21.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so what I want to say is\Nthat in today's world,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:21.52,0:16:26.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are living in a world\Nthat is increasingly polarized.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.41,0:16:30.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are constantly being told\Nthat things are black or white.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:30.58,0:16:34.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With the information age,\Nwe have more and more information,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:34.72,0:16:37.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but somehow the conversation\Nis getting lost,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.50,0:16:39.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the nuances is getting lost.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:39.51,0:16:43.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what I do with the betel nut girls\Nis to look at all the layers -
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.45,0:16:46.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,realize that there's a spectrum\Nfrom black to white
Dialogue: 0,0:16:46.68,0:16:48.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on all those issues that I mentioned.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.92,0:16:52.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's not all good and all bad\Non any one of those.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:52.95,0:16:55.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I think if we can keep\Nthe conversation going -
Dialogue: 0,0:16:55.82,0:16:57.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have people come to me and say:
Dialogue: 0,0:16:57.41,0:17:00.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I think you should stop\Ntaking photos of betel nut girls
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.10,0:17:03.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it's a bad image for Taiwan"\Nor "bad for them" or whatever it is,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:03.52,0:17:05.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm happy to be part of that conversation.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:05.58,0:17:07.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That conversation doesn't have to end.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:07.79,0:17:10.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And while we are having conversations,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:10.09,0:17:13.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can find the best solutions
Dialogue: 0,0:17:13.41,0:17:16.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the problems that face us\Nlike climate change,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.11,0:17:18.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like leaking government information,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:18.00,0:17:19.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like going to war, you know,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:19.49,0:17:21.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all the things we are dealing with today.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.54,0:17:23.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because while you\Nare having a conversation,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:23.62,0:17:25.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while you are talking,\Nyou cannot swing a sword.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:25.94,0:17:31.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I'd like to invite all of you\Nto consider the grey areas.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:31.74,0:17:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Consider all the lovely layers\Nthat there are in the world
Dialogue: 0,0:17:34.52,0:17:37.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not just accept\Nthe given on any one side.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:37.77,0:17:39.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And let's all be "weirdos" together.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:39.85,0:17:40.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:40.85,0:17:42.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)