Since this is the first time for me to come to meido cafe, I could not help gazing around when I was waiting for our seats and witnessed some funny scenes.
For example, I saw one of the guests who handed cash directly to waitress trembled his hands under extreme tension and a business man encouraged a waitress by saying "Hang on!" to see the waitress being in trouble as she had his credit card read by the card reader raised big smile on his face and holding up his fists. These men's performances gave me a glimpse of unique behaviors of A-boys (Akiba-kei geeks) and reminded me that the meido cafe was quite alien to the ordinary one. It seems to me that the guests become very fanatic when they meet their favorite waitresses and try their best not to miss any chance to get in touch with them.

Finally we were guided to our seats. The menu consists of full selection. Contrary to the ordinary cafe, they offered alcoholic drinks like beer as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Other than beverages, there are plenty of hearty foods such as pasta, rice bowl, etc., that probably focuses on many male guests.
As we turned our eyes to cappuccino on the menu, we found an option to request a waitress to writes a letter or make a drawing with chocolate cream on whipped milk on guest's demand with 100yen. We ordered the option and left it to a waitress choice and the waitress drew a lovely teddy bear for me.
Although the meido cafe we visited did not have other conspicuous options, other cafes have various options such as playing game and taking a picture with waitresses. Of course the price of those options are higher to 1,000 yen. Therefore some guests spend money for options much more than foods or drinks. Eventually, the amount of money each guest spends at meido cafe will go up to 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen. That's why meido cafe commands considerable attention of economic circle as a new industry.

The meido cafe has been developed continuously; some meido cafes are decorated with illuminations, others run entertainment shows played by the waitresses. Now, animation and cosplay; people impersonate animated character earned recognition as Japanese pop culture and expanded into foreign market and meido cafe also launched into Korea as well.
Recently, as a target for female, "The shitsuji (steward) cafe" that the waiters impersonate steward came out contrary to meido cafe. However shitsuji cafe has not been heated yet so much.

End

2006/8