Karaoke, for KTV as it is know in East Asia, is
wildly popular in China.
When conversing with someone you have just met, after, “where you from?” and,
“why you so tall?” the first question is usually, “do you like KTV?”
Unlike communal Western karaoke bars, patrons hire
a private room where they and their friends sing and are delivered drinks and
food as they desire. The establishments are ubiquitous, popping up on just
about every street corner, and often hidden away inside other businesses. Last
weekend at a club (which is a whole other report that I’ll be making when I’ve
been back with a camera), we were ushered at closing time onto what I thought
was the street, but ended up singing in a back room for what felt like an
eternity,
The past time is prevalent amongst the young and
old, men and women. Whole families will go at the weekend, young men after work
on a Friday night. Some will drink beer, most just smoke countless cigarettes
and sing for hours.
It is also apparently socially acceptable for two
men to sing “I Will Always Love You” to each other, alone, whilst holding
hands, as my friend Peter and I did recently.
KTV bars are also notorious for often being front
for prostitution. At many you can hire a “host,” a pretty young lady who will
pour drinks for you and your party, and keep you company more privately if you
are willing to pay extra. I’ve yet to encounter such place, but will be back
with full chronicle once I do.
