Deep Into Dark Street

by Jenny Chan


Sansan sitting inside the cafe with her friends waiting for customers
It is 7 in the evening. Entering a cafe bar near Avenida Da Amizade of Macau, many pretty and young ladies sit together, chatting while having dinner. These young ladies are gaudily attired; wearing deep V, low cut on their tops and very tight jeans or trousers. Their appearances attract everyone's eyes. Do you know who they are? They are those who have been stereotyped as "chickens" in this part of the world.

Most of the time, these girls pose a negative image in the public. You can always see them standing on the street at night, hanging around trying to attract men. If unluckily to be caught by the police, you will see them in handcuffs on the TV news.

Most of these young ladies who frequently go to this bar are aged between 18-25. Many came from Hunan or Hubei provinces of China, having a high school or even a university degree.

The life of these girls is not as easy as we think. Sansan, a high school graduate is one of them. "Money is not easy to earn," says Sansan. Before coming to Macau, she had a pleasant personality and was optimistic about for her future. Sansan used to have a lot of high hopes about coming to work in Macau, finding a job, saving some money, and going back to her hometown for good. But life is not always what you expect. Sadly, she was cheated and forced to work as a lady of the night in Macau.


Sansan chatting with her friend while waiting

She is under control of a "leader" (pimp). Every night, she has to go out to find customers who are interested in her service. Then, they'll book a room; have a little chat in the room. Then, they will take a shower before getting onto the business. Finally, she gets paid MOP500 per customer, from which she will hand to the leader MOP100-200. If she cannot do any business in a night, she will probably get beaten by the leader. Sometimes, you can see her bearing some bruises on her hands. Now, she seems used to the problems she faces with her job.

Asked about her future, she still cherishes a hope. She hopes that she can one day marry a man whom she loves, then quit her job. "He doesn't have to be rich, as long as he loves and cares for me, that's enough," says Sansan. She hopes that she can live an ordinary life like other women.

Of course, they have fears. There is a common belief among these young ladies; they never eat shrimps, because they believe that shrimps will bring them disease. Sansan says they avoid eating shrimps for prevention only. Whether they have contracted a disease or not, she is unwilling to say. "...that won't be a big problem because there must be men who need our service," says Sansan with grin.