Let's address some questions or concerns mentioned to us over time.
Q Why do you call yourself a Butler Cafe when you don't have any "real" men?
A The "butler Café" is more of a category of live-entertainment that's focused on a certain performance style. It does not imply all staff are male; it means the patrons are expected to consider the staff as male in mutual role-playing. Our establishment is based on a Japanese fashion-style called "dansou", meaning "to disguise oneself as a man." What we are doing, then, is to perform as men who are the butlers at a Café. If you look up the definition of "dansou" in Japanese, you get this:
Q What's Crossplay? What's so special about a "dansou" Café?
A "Crossplay" is a portmanteau between "Cross-dressing," "costume" and "play". It refers to a form of fashion where one takes on the persona of a character that is of an opposite gender. This is seen in both traditional theatre as well as convention circles and can be seen as a kind of performance art. We would also like to remind you that since this is acting/theatre, inferences should not be made about an individual's gender identification or sexual orientation.
A dansou Café, therefore, is an establishment that is staffed by employees who cross-dress to act out the part of a butler. This niche market originally started out when fans of yaoi noticed that biologically-male butler men still didn't have the qualities usually depicted in anime/manga/games such as slender, effeminate figures, softer voices, and a gentle and romantic personality. By having cross-dressed staff members, these "characters" were sensitive like women and sensitive to their desires and needs because they, themselves, were women. They also had the effeminate figures and features that yaoi fans had come to love about their genre's characters. The concept has since grown out of this exclusive market. Dansou cafes cater to patrons of all ages, all genders and all orientations.
Q Do you take (insert self-identifier) people in?
A We welcome people of all genders and all orientations. No preference is given in regards to age or race during the hiring process, either. What we are looking for are open-minded people who are enthusiastic about performance, acting and generally making people happy.
Q Do you get paid?
A Café Nocturne is a non-profit organisation. Ticket sales go back to the convention that hosts us every year. Any money that we make goes into the cafe itself as future investments into props, uniforms and other accessories.
Q Can I join you?
A We're always looking for new faces! Please contact general manager Lisa/Hideto at hideto@cafenocturne.com for more information.
Q Can I hire your staff/cafe?
A We're usually based out of a convention that hosts us, but we are thinking of expanding! If you have a specific plan in mind, please feel free to contact our general manager Lisa/Hideto at hideto@cafenocturne.com. We're always open to hear from you.
Q Is it OK for me to get in contact with one of the staff?
A Since this is a form of performance art, we ask that you respect the performers and be both courteous and professional. We do not condone unwanted sexual advances and we encourage you to interact with the staff at designated, official channels (such as our Discord server). Individual cafe staff can choose to chat with you if they are interested and you approach them politely, but understand that if they say no thank you, that means no. Thank you for understanding.
If you have any other questions to add to the FAQ or concerns or comments, email hideto@cafenocturne.com.
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