Addictive betel nut at center of controversy
Hsiao Chin flags down passing drivers in the Taiwanese city of Taoyuan, trying to sell betel nuts. Chin is one of thousands of scantily clad sellers who work along Taiwans highways hawking the date-like fruit of the Areca palm to truckers and other mostly working-class customers. (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)
Even in the chill of winter the girls selling betel nuts wear skimpy outfits. Betel nuts are now Taiwans second-largest crop after rice. (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)
Betel nuts are also at the center of controversy in Taiwan. The government blames the nuts for a rise in oral cancer cases, and health officials campaign against their use and have insisted that there be warnings on packaging, though it’s not always enforced. (Eddie Shih / Associated Press)
A betel nut girl chats with a truck driver in Taoyuan. The sales technique of wearing scanty attire has been condemned by feminist groups, decried by health professionals and cheered on by male customers. (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)
A betel nut girl on a bar stool in a neon-lighted Plexiglass box on a slow night in Taoyuan. (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)
