Wings and Things: New Restaurant Aims to Be Hooters But With Male Waiters
It may not be as extreme as South Korea’s phallic-themed establishment, but it looks like America is getting its own version of a restaurant that objectifies men.
Tallywackers is expected to open in May 2015 in the Dallas neighborhood of Oak Lawn, which Dallas Eater affectionately refers to as a gayborhood—shorthand for an LGBT-friendly part of town.
Billed as a bar and restaurant with “live entertainment,” Tallywackers appears to be the Chippendales-inspired male version of Hooters. Shirtless men wearing red aprons will alluringly serve patrons hot dogs and other second fiddle fare, judging by the Craigslist help-wanted ad that ran this past weekend.
The so-called breastaurant industry is worth more than $1 billion, according to ABC News. Chains composed of a mostly female wait staff, such as Twin Peaks, the Tilted Kilt, and the infamous Hooters, are booming, despite the recent decline in restaurant industry success. It remains to be seen whether, with the gender roles reversed, Tallywackers will thrive as well.
There are also questions of harassment or workplace safety. Hooters has been at the forefront of workplace-harassment lawsuits in recent years, as have the “bikini barista” coffee shops that have popped up in the Pacific Northwest, controversial for featuring scantily clad women.
“In some ways, yes, this new business model is a type of sex work, where you get paid in part for your sexuality—but anyone who has been a waiter or waitress knows this," Lisa Wade, department chair and associate professor of sociology at Occidental College, told TakePart in a phone interview.
“I think at the end of the day you have to keep in mind that, really, this is just like any other business out there.”
Related stories on TakePart:
• The Restaurant Industry Is Rife With Sexual Harassment
• The Hidden Meaning Behind Hooters’ New Ad Campaign
• Men Are Suing Ruby Tuesday Over Sexism, and It May Actually Help Women
Original article from TakePart
