The complex world of hookers

From my meagre experience (re-enforced in discussions with ex-pats), Indonesian women are basically either virgins or hookers. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Strange. But then, 'hookers' cannot be understood the same way in Indonesia as it is in western countries. Yobbo has beaten me to the punch in writing a post about asian prostitutes, but I want to add my two cents. I would like to share my taxonomy of nakal wanitas (bad girls in Indonesian). At the bottom of the social ladder are the out-and-out prostitutes, such as those working in Stadium. They have fixed employment, work fixed hours, have no choice about their customers and mostly do not bother with much small talk. One step up from regular prostitues are referred to as 'ayams' (chickens). These creatures of the night do not have an employer or fixed hours. Instead, they go out to bars and clubs, flirt and make an effort to make some sort of connection and they do pick and choose among the guys. The ayams are also a lot more vague about money -- the final cost (referred to as 'taxi money') is often up to the guy and payment is treated more like a voluntary tip that isn't always necessary. Ayams consider themselves better than prostitutes, much like the distinction between free range chickens and battery cage hens. Finally we have a category I called 'sponsored girls'. This last category tend to have more money and more class. They are more choosy about the guys they go home with and they would strongly object to being called ayam. Unlike the ayams, they do not look for taxi money directly related to sex. Instead, these girls attempt to build up something that half looks like a relationship and then arrange to have their 'boyfriend' give them regular pocket-money. Having multiple boyfriends, or boyfriends who are only in the country for a few weeks a year is common. While the last option is more difficult, it has several advantages. The pocket money is often significantly higher than the average Indonesian income and 'boyfriends' might also buy gifts or take the girls on nights out. Also, the 'sponsored girl' lifestyle is more socially acceptable than that of the prostitutes/ayams and there is the small possibility that one of the boyfriends may become a husband and a ticket to a new life in a western country.