In India You Can Rent a White Girl As Human Tables

Not actual picture - Image: mperialart.ru

Imagine attending a wedding, not as a guest, but as... a human centerpiece! Picture yourself standing in the center of a table, a festive table setting built around you. Believe it or not, in some parts of India, this is a paying gig, particularly for young European women with fair skin.

Not actual picture - Image: mperialart.ru

This unusual job market reflects a complex cultural intersection. In China, clubs might hire white foreigners for their "exotic" appeal. In India, the dynamic flips. Here, the presence of a white "living table" signifies the wealth and status of the hosting family. Large weddings with 100-200 guests become a showcase of luxury, and a white "table girl" becomes a curious symbol of that.

Who fills these roles? Often, it's young European women traveling in India. Ten thousand rupees (roughly $130) for an evening's work can be very attractive, especially considering the affordability of living in India. For these women, being a "living table" can be a safe and lucrative option compared to other temporary jobs.

But why specifically white girls? It's not just about novelty. India's colonial history casts a long shadow. For many years, the British ruled India, and white women were associated with power and privilege. This "living table" trend can be seen as a reversal of roles, a symbolic act where white women are now objectified.

It's a practice with questionable ethics. While the girls are well-paid and generally treated respectfully, the underlying colonial subtext is uncomfortable. Initially, agencies even hid the true nature of the job from potential workers.