Discuss how John Osburg describes the performance of masculinity by Chinese entrepreneurs (Chapter 2). How do sexuality and the market play out for women involved in the beauty economy (Chapter 5)?
In chapter two Osburg describes the masculine ideal attributed to businessmen in the so-called "masculine elite" in China--the emerging rich class of the entrepreneurs and State officials who depend on one another for wealth and social status. The performance of masculinity he describes involves the businessmen forging both intimate and professional relationships with their potential clients. It is a form of schmoozing that goes beyond how we think of it in the West, and instead encompasses many aspects of masculinity, honor, and value. This performance involves taking clients to karaoke clubs and complimenting them, drinking with them, and setting them up with either sex workers or the preferred "beauties"--educated and virginal young women.
As Osburg explains, "relationships between men are forged quite literally over female bodies" (40). By this, he means that the business venture involving social relationships between men is dependent upon women reinforcing notions of the masculine ideal. The hostess at the club plays a very important role in maintaining and reinforcing the idea of the client being a powerful man. For instance, she will refer to him as her husband, toast him while keeping her glass down (a demonstration of his power), as well as continually compliment him on his masculine value (wealth, power, looks, etc). Paid sex workers also operate to maintain social and business ties between company and client. It is interesting how the projection of the masculine ideal is largely reliant on women, who preferably project the feminine ideal (pure, young, virgin, high-class) in order to secure business relationships. The clients are performing their own masculinity (to impress women), with the reinforcement from women who are also performing (for material wealth possibly gained by rich male suitors), and the entrepreneurs are performing acts of friendliness, politeness, and relationship-forming in order to secure future transactions with clients.
John Osburg describes the performance of masculinity by Chinese entrepreneurs in chapter two of his book by describing the interlocking relationships within the business world and the status of having mistresses. He describes the need to socialize with people who are viewed as beneficial to one’s career at places called KTVs, tea houses, and massage parlors where the men participate in a form of play known as yingchou. At these areas the men attempt to relax and grow closer in a sense of friendship that is different from that of what is attempted here in The United States. At KTVs, hostesses are meant to help create an atmosphere conductive to building such relationships for their customers. Osburg then describes the ideal situation of sexual relationships for business men that allows them to highlight their status to others. Mistresses that are young, intelligent, pure, artistic accomplishment, beauty, and high class are viewed as providing men with the highest status. Valentine’s Day and Christmas have been transformed from the typical way of celebrating with one’s wife and family to days where business men take their mistresses out and show them off at high class restaurants. It is viewed as embarrassing for one’s wife to accompany their husband to KTVs simply because wives are viewed as not being a part of the “outer” world. On the other hand, mistresses are regarded as being able to understand a business man’s worries due to participating in the “outside” world and are therefore the best companions and confidents. According to Osburg it is seen as poor quality to have sexual relations with any woman other than those seen as mistress or wife material. Women at KTVs are often viewed as dirty and undesirable by the Chinese business man due to lack of education and being from the country.
In John Osburg's chapter about the masculinity of the Chinese business men it was interesting to me to see the resemblance to American business men; who use some of the same tactics to gain favor with possible business partners. Osburg describes how the business men make business relationships by bribing, dining, hosting, or sexual services. Even part of the field work he did was set in a massage parlor with Mr. Gao. This business men use places like this to essentially pamper prospective business partners in hopes to gain favor with them to conduct business. Osburg discussed that these business deals were literally being done over the bodies of females. He briefly said that there were some successful Chinese business women, but they are few compared to the men. The men have been the dominate in business because of the places that are known for being business centers. The tea houses, KTV's, nightclubs, and other buildings are culturally not places for the women to be. Having business conducted in these places gives the men the upper hand to be involved in the business world. They held business in these places to keep the partners entertained and pampered with the services to make them somewhat indented to the business men and more likely to do business.
In chapter two, Osburg discusses the masculinity displayed by Chinese business men, entrepreneurs, and officials, and how this masculinity is seen as vital to the showing one's status in the business world. Being well connected means you have a higher chance of getting government contracts as an entrepreneur. The only to get well connected is to establish relationsips, both intimate and professional, with other business men and officials. It seems that the more money that is spent, the more mistresses one can pay for, and the more extravigant the outing, the better image a certain man may have in terms of his masculinity. This idea of masculinity is centered around the industry of entertainment in the form of young beautiful women. Whether it be at KTVs or tea parlors, men are forming friendships through their common interest in women. It seems to be very common place for a wealthy man to have a mistress or even more than one. It is almost like a badge of honor to show just how rich and important he really is. Even though this seems to be the trend today, some do not find this appealing. There are those who look down upon some of this behavior because it is seen as the behavior of the nouveau rich and the unsophisticated. It is the behavior of somone new to money, and they quite simply are exploiting it in an unrefined manner, therefore showing to the whole world around them that they are new to the rich and wealthy lifestyle of a successful business man. But one main goal that any chinese business man would want to achieve no matter their tactics is establishing long-lsating relationships with partners. If a business man only thinks in the short term, it is seen as having a "peasant mentality". Thinking in the long term is seen as planning for more prosperous future not just for yourself, but the other business men and officials that you connect yourself to. That is why the idea of masculinity continues to play a vital role in the business culture of China. It isn't just about showing your business partners how much money you have, it is about showing them that they are willing to spend it on them if they return the favor.
In chapter 5, Women involve in the beauty economy are regarded hostesses or gray women among otthers. They play key roles in mediating ties between the elites men. Hence, they benefit form the wealth of these men. Although they involve in activities such as massages, entertaining and sometimes having sexual intercourse, it is their means of making a livelihood and taking care of their responsibilities. (parents back in their hometowns). Women sexuality are been capitalized or used as staging events in other sectors as noted by the author_ real estate business, sales agent, insurances companies sponsor beauty contest as a means of driving promotional sales. The activities that constitute these events are the very core of the beauty economy because it involves women's sexuality as discussed in the chapter. Importantly, genuine women entrepreneurs are mostly accused or suspected to use their sexuality to get ahead in their business. Additionally, the gray women seek to gather enough capital for themselves to set themselves up later before they are sidelined in the business due to their age_ mostly hostess ladies in their twenties are regarded attractive for that venture. Women regardless of how they get their status and wealth in this country is still attributed to their sexuality_ husband's wealth or connections or once a hostess. The beauty economy as noted by a woman entrepreneur in the chapter is populated with women with questionable morals and unchecked ambition looking for short cuts to be success. Some women also used their beauty or attractiveness as a means to attract favorably deals, meetings and good deals in contracts.
Early on in Chapter 5, the auther mentions that the so called 'gray wommen' would not have work without the buisness men, government officals, and other such elites. It is even mentioned later that these woman also have what they have because they are attractive and young. It seems that in China, that it is thanks in part to these elites that these woman have to be attractive not just for them, but also for many other jobs, which in part can be seen on page 144, where the author mentions the importiance of attractivness in jobs such as a sales as well as for writers, and nearly everything in between. It then seems that women use their attractiveness to get ahead, and even in this chapter Osburg mentions that even a successful buissness woman can be suspected of having used a man to get where she is, even if she did apperently get to where she is by ways other than her attractvness (p. 152). As well as using their attractiveness to get ahead, it seems that people in China might think that a woman may of taken advantage of men in ways other than their attractivness to get ahead.
In chapter five, Osburg presents the Chinese idea of white, gray, and black women. Gray women are those that are not quite marriage worthy, like white women, but are also acceptable in their use of their sexuality, unlike black women. They include mistresses, hostesses, second wives, and those in the beauty economy. Osburg describes the beauty economy as young women selling their youth and beauty through such means as becoming models for products of every sort or by becoming actresses. The women who participate in the beauty economy are viewed negatively by some, often they are seen as no different than prostitutes with better conditions. Osburg writes of how the women in this industry contest this view by stating that it is a competitive market and by making minute distinctions between themselves and other lower positions in the beauty economy. Osburg then writes of business women in China and how they view and exist in the beauty economy. Known as “strong women” by business men, they are viewed as overly sexual and non-feminine. One of the women he interviews on the beauty economy voices her dislike of those who contribute to it and the idea itself. She comments that the younger generation is no longer working hard for their positions in life but are too used to using their sexuality to gain prestige and power. At the same time, Osburg states that this same business women would at times augment the beauty economy by requiring one of her female employees to keep a male company as a part of the employee’s work. As such the business woman participated in the beauty economy even as she voiced her dislike for it.
In chapter 5, women in the beauty economy are described as gray, meaning the second wives and mistresses. These women make money from their youthfulness without creating value to the economy. They do not work for the money they have, instead they use sex to attract men. They are seen on advertisements and billboards. They have also contributed to the breakup of families. These companies employ young women and models to promote products and services. Most of the women who serve as sex workers are from rural areas. Therefore, they do this to sustain their families back home, and some are married. There are also wealth women who have money and employ young men to come dance for them. Since they have been abandoned by their husbands emotionally. Because they have money they use it to have young men entertain them. Although most of the men are viewed as unmasculine since they are kept by women. Therefore, it becomes an intertwined Web of men and women who take advantage of the other. Although they benefit at the end and in some rare instances some of these mistresses endup being married.
In Chapter 5, Orburg explores the different female roles within the Chinese marketplace and how they are positioned within the realm of sexuality, femininity and social/financial capital. Throughout the chapter, Osburg describes many different positions a woman can hold within this society, including female entrepreneurs, jupo (rich ladies married to successful men), "gray women" (women who have jobs that differ from societal norms), and women within the beauty economy. The term "beauty economy," also known as "pink-collar" jobs refer to "a market place in which young, attractive women are used to promote commercial products and services," with an emphasis on young and attractive (144). The beauty economy appeals to women who are feel like they are either incapable of or society won't allow them to succeed through a traditional job setting so they have resorted to exploiting their beauty and sexuality in order to gain social and economic capital. There are many jobs one can acquire within this setting of the beauty economy, some including stage entertainment at a business conventions, hostessing high-end business/political parties, commercial performances (promoting any particular product), and much more. While some women who participate in this kind of work environment are aspiring to become stars in the entertainment world, others are simply "eating the rice of youth" and hoping to find a successful man that is willing to financially support her through sexual desires. In the end, the beauty economy is a mode of production where women (and occasionally men) can trade, instead of labor, there sexuality in return for financial security.
In chapter two Osburg describes the masculine ideal attributed to businessmen in the so-called "masculine elite" in China--the emerging rich class of the entrepreneurs and State officials who depend on one another for wealth and social status. The performance of masculinity he describes involves the businessmen forging both intimate and professional relationships with their potential clients. It is a form of schmoozing that goes beyond how we think of it in the West, and instead encompasses many aspects of masculinity, honor, and value. This performance involves taking clients to karaoke clubs and complimenting them, drinking with them, and setting them up with either sex workers or the preferred "beauties"--educated and virginal young women.
ReplyDeleteAs Osburg explains, "relationships between men are forged quite literally over female bodies" (40). By this, he means that the business venture involving social relationships between men is dependent upon women reinforcing notions of the masculine ideal. The hostess at the club plays a very important role in maintaining and reinforcing the idea of the client being a powerful man. For instance, she will refer to him as her husband, toast him while keeping her glass down (a demonstration of his power), as well as continually compliment him on his masculine value (wealth, power, looks, etc). Paid sex workers also operate to maintain social and business ties between company and client. It is interesting how the projection of the masculine ideal is largely reliant on women, who preferably project the feminine ideal (pure, young, virgin, high-class) in order to secure business relationships. The clients are performing their own masculinity (to impress women), with the reinforcement from women who are also performing (for material wealth possibly gained by rich male suitors), and the entrepreneurs are performing acts of friendliness, politeness, and relationship-forming in order to secure future transactions with clients.
John Osburg describes the performance of masculinity by Chinese entrepreneurs in chapter two of his book by describing the interlocking relationships within the business world and the status of having mistresses. He describes the need to socialize with people who are viewed as beneficial to one’s career at places called KTVs, tea houses, and massage parlors where the men participate in a form of play known as yingchou. At these areas the men attempt to relax and grow closer in a sense of friendship that is different from that of what is attempted here in The United States. At KTVs, hostesses are meant to help create an atmosphere conductive to building such relationships for their customers.
ReplyDeleteOsburg then describes the ideal situation of sexual relationships for business men that allows them to highlight their status to others. Mistresses that are young, intelligent, pure, artistic accomplishment, beauty, and high class are viewed as providing men with the highest status. Valentine’s Day and Christmas have been transformed from the typical way of celebrating with one’s wife and family to days where business men take their mistresses out and show them off at high class restaurants. It is viewed as embarrassing for one’s wife to accompany their husband to KTVs simply because wives are viewed as not being a part of the “outer” world. On the other hand, mistresses are regarded as being able to understand a business man’s worries due to participating in the “outside” world and are therefore the best companions and confidents. According to Osburg it is seen as poor quality to have sexual relations with any woman other than those seen as mistress or wife material. Women at KTVs are often viewed as dirty and undesirable by the Chinese business man due to lack of education and being from the country.
In John Osburg's chapter about the masculinity of the Chinese business men it was interesting to me to see the resemblance to American business men; who use some of the same tactics to gain favor with possible business partners. Osburg describes how the business men make business relationships by bribing, dining, hosting, or sexual services. Even part of the field work he did was set in a massage parlor with Mr. Gao. This business men use places like this to essentially pamper prospective business partners in hopes to gain favor with them to conduct business.
ReplyDeleteOsburg discussed that these business deals were literally being done over the bodies of females. He briefly said that there were some successful Chinese business women, but they are few compared to the men. The men have been the dominate in business because of the places that are known for being business centers. The tea houses, KTV's, nightclubs, and other buildings are culturally not places for the women to be. Having business conducted in these places gives the men the upper hand to be involved in the business world. They held business in these places to keep the partners entertained and pampered with the services to make them somewhat indented to the business men and more likely to do business.
In chapter two, Osburg discusses the masculinity displayed by Chinese business men, entrepreneurs, and officials, and how this masculinity is seen as vital to the showing one's status in the business world. Being well connected means you have a higher chance of getting government contracts as an entrepreneur. The only to get well connected is to establish relationsips, both intimate and professional, with other business men and officials. It seems that the more money that is spent, the more mistresses one can pay for, and the more extravigant the outing, the better image a certain man may have in terms of his masculinity. This idea of masculinity is centered around the industry of entertainment in the form of young beautiful women. Whether it be at KTVs or tea parlors, men are forming friendships through their common interest in women. It seems to be very common place for a wealthy man to have a mistress or even more than one. It is almost like a badge of honor to show just how rich and important he really is. Even though this seems to be the trend today, some do not find this appealing. There are those who look down upon some of this behavior because it is seen as the behavior of the nouveau rich and the unsophisticated. It is the behavior of somone new to money, and they quite simply are exploiting it in an unrefined manner, therefore showing to the whole world around them that they are new to the rich and wealthy lifestyle of a successful business man. But one main goal that any chinese business man would want to achieve no matter their tactics is establishing long-lsating relationships with partners. If a business man only thinks in the short term, it is seen as having a "peasant mentality". Thinking in the long term is seen as planning for more prosperous future not just for yourself, but the other business men and officials that you connect yourself to. That is why the idea of masculinity continues to play a vital role in the business culture of China. It isn't just about showing your business partners how much money you have, it is about showing them that they are willing to spend it on them if they return the favor.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 5, Women involve in the beauty economy are regarded hostesses or gray women among otthers. They play key roles in mediating ties between the elites men. Hence, they benefit form the wealth of these men. Although they involve in activities such as massages, entertaining and sometimes having sexual intercourse, it is their means of making a livelihood and taking care of their responsibilities. (parents back in their hometowns). Women sexuality are been capitalized or used as staging events in other sectors as noted by the author_ real estate business, sales agent, insurances companies sponsor beauty contest as a means of driving promotional sales. The activities that constitute these events are the very core of the beauty economy because it involves women's sexuality as discussed in the chapter. Importantly, genuine women entrepreneurs are mostly accused or suspected to use their sexuality to get ahead in their business. Additionally, the gray women seek to gather enough capital for themselves to set themselves up later before they are sidelined in the business due to their age_ mostly hostess ladies in their twenties are regarded attractive for that venture. Women regardless of how they get their status and wealth in this country is still attributed to their sexuality_ husband's wealth or connections or once a hostess. The beauty economy as noted by a woman entrepreneur in the chapter is populated with women with questionable morals and unchecked ambition looking for short cuts to be success. Some women also used their beauty or attractiveness as a means to attract favorably deals, meetings and good deals in contracts.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteEarly on in Chapter 5, the auther mentions that the so called 'gray wommen' would not have work without the buisness men, government officals, and other such elites. It is even mentioned later that these woman also have what they have because they are attractive and young. It seems that in China, that it is thanks in part to these elites that these woman have to be attractive not just for them, but also for many other jobs, which in part can be seen on page 144, where the author mentions the importiance of attractivness in jobs such as a sales as well as for writers, and nearly everything in between. It then seems that women use their attractiveness to get ahead, and even in this chapter Osburg mentions that even a successful buissness woman can be suspected of having used a man to get where she is, even if she did apperently get to where she is by ways other than her attractvness (p. 152). As well as using their attractiveness to get ahead, it seems that people in China might think that a woman may of taken advantage of men in ways other than their attractivness to get ahead.
In chapter five, Osburg presents the Chinese idea of white, gray, and black women. Gray women are those that are not quite marriage worthy, like white women, but are also acceptable in their use of their sexuality, unlike black women. They include mistresses, hostesses, second wives, and those in the beauty economy. Osburg describes the beauty economy as young women selling their youth and beauty through such means as becoming models for products of every sort or by becoming actresses. The women who participate in the beauty economy are viewed negatively by some, often they are seen as no different than prostitutes with better conditions. Osburg writes of how the women in this industry contest this view by stating that it is a competitive market and by making minute distinctions between themselves and other lower positions in the beauty economy.
ReplyDeleteOsburg then writes of business women in China and how they view and exist in the beauty economy. Known as “strong women” by business men, they are viewed as overly sexual and non-feminine. One of the women he interviews on the beauty economy voices her dislike of those who contribute to it and the idea itself. She comments that the younger generation is no longer working hard for their positions in life but are too used to using their sexuality to gain prestige and power. At the same time, Osburg states that this same business women would at times augment the beauty economy by requiring one of her female employees to keep a male company as a part of the employee’s work. As such the business woman participated in the beauty economy even as she voiced her dislike for it.
In chapter 5, women in the beauty economy are described as gray, meaning the second wives and mistresses. These women make money from their youthfulness without creating value to the economy. They do not work for the money they have, instead they use sex to attract men. They are seen on advertisements and billboards. They have also contributed to the breakup of families. These companies employ young women and models to promote products and services. Most of the women who serve as sex workers are from rural areas. Therefore, they do this to sustain their families back home, and some are married. There are also wealth women who have money and employ young men to come dance for them. Since they have been abandoned by their husbands emotionally. Because they have money they use it to have young men entertain them. Although most of the men are viewed as unmasculine since they are kept by women. Therefore, it becomes an intertwined Web of men and women who take advantage of the other. Although they benefit at the end and in some rare instances some of these mistresses endup being married.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 5, Orburg explores the different female roles within the Chinese marketplace and how they are positioned within the realm of sexuality, femininity and social/financial capital. Throughout the chapter, Osburg describes many different positions a woman can hold within this society, including female entrepreneurs, jupo (rich ladies married to successful men), "gray women" (women who have jobs that differ from societal norms), and women within the beauty economy. The term "beauty economy," also known as "pink-collar" jobs refer to "a market place in which young, attractive women are used to promote commercial products and services," with an emphasis on young and attractive (144). The beauty economy appeals to women who are feel like they are either incapable of or society won't allow them to succeed through a traditional job setting so they have resorted to exploiting their beauty and sexuality in order to gain social and economic capital. There are many jobs one can acquire within this setting of the beauty economy, some including stage entertainment at a business conventions, hostessing high-end business/political parties, commercial performances (promoting any particular product), and much more. While some women who participate in this kind of work environment are aspiring to become stars in the entertainment world, others are simply "eating the rice of youth" and hoping to find a successful man that is willing to financially support her through sexual desires. In the end, the beauty economy is a mode of production where women (and occasionally men) can trade, instead of labor, there sexuality in return for financial security.
ReplyDelete