Hooters in Beijing: Short Shorts and Moral Righteousness

Hooters is all about saving fabric. The minimalistic uniforms and the comely staff members who fill them are aimed at drawing mostly male customers. As the Georgia-based restaurant chain goes global, one would probably expect more of the same. But, the Hooters in Beijing is not all about buxom waitresses hawking chicken wings and fries.

How can that be? The very name “Hooters” suggests nothing other than said buxom staff members, right?

The typical tank top and short shorts are still worn by the female staff, but the goal is not to fill them out in the same manner as at stateside Hooters. A server at Beijing’s Hooters told a journalist from McClatchy (who was there ONLY for the chicken wings): “It’s more sexy in the U. S. Here, it’s more about being healthy, friendly, cute and having moral righteousness.”

Hey, who says moral righteousness can’t go with short shorts and chicken wings. By the way, Beijing’s Hooters also features the occasional dance number, preformed by the staff to appropriately kitschy music. Perhaps the brand has lost something in translation.