Summary of Key Points
Recently, the “assistant economy” in billiard halls has become quite popular. However, these assistants are no longer just coaches who teach people how to play billiards—they are often young and attractive women who attract customers by accompanying them during games, engaging in conversation, and even creating a flirtatious atmosphere. Not only do they earn comfortable salaries of over ten thousand yuan per month, but they have also become a significant source of revenue for the billiard halls. This phenomenon reflects that as the billiard hall industry recovers, gender and appearance are being used as key “factors of productivity.” However, it has also sparked debates about the objectification of women and compliance issues.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Transformation of Assistants: From “Technical Coaches” to “Social Companions”
In the past, billiard hall assistants were truly there to teach people how to play—correcting grip styles and explaining shooting techniques with the aim of improving players’ skills. Nowadays, things have changed dramatically: technical ability is no longer the priority; looks and conversation skills are what matter most. For example, when customers come to play, they may request an assistant to “keep them company” during the game. The assistant will play a few rounds with them, chat about everyday life, tell jokes, and even flatter them by saying something like, “You’re playing so well!” Some customers don’t come there to learn how to play; they come for the experience of being with attractive women. Some regular customers even prefer to have a specific assistant as their “personal companion.”
2. The Secret to Earning Over Ten Thousand Yuan: Multiple Sources of Income
Assistants’ incomes are not based on a fixed salary but on a performance-based system:
- Hourly Rate: An hour of service can earn them 50–100 yuan, so spending 5–6 hours a day can generate several hundred yuan.
- Referral Commissions: If a customer signs up for a membership card (e.g., an annual card that costs several thousand yuan), the assistant gets a 5%–10% commission.
- Sales Commissions: The assistant also receives a share of any sales of drinks, snacks, or billiard equipment.
- Tips: If the conversation is pleasant or the game is enjoyable, customers might give tips ranging from a few dozen to several hundred yuan. With all these sources of income, it’s quite common for assistants to earn over ten thousand yuan per month; those who are particularly popular can easily earn twenty thousand yuan.
3. Why Do Billiard Halls Rely on This Model for Revenue? A New Strategy for Survival
In the past, billiard halls made money by charging for the use of their facilities (e.g., 30–50 yuan per hour). However, with fierce competition, relying solely on game fees is no longer sufficient. The assistant model solves two major problems:
- Attracting and Retaining Customers: Men are willing to return repeatedly for the sake of attractive assistants and may even bring friends along.
- Increasing Average Transaction Value: Customers not only pay for the game but also sign up for memberships and make additional purchases, spending much more than just on the game itself. For instance, a customer who originally planned to spend 100 yuan for two hours might end up signing up for a 2000-yuan membership card and buying 100 yuan worth of drinks, doubling the billiard hall’s revenue.
4. Gender and Appearance as “Productivity”: Controversies and Concerns
While this model is profitable, it has faced significant criticism:
- Objectification of Women: During recruitment, appearance and body shape are given more importance than technical skills, treating women as commodities for sale.
- Risks of Overstepping the Line: Some assistants may engage in flirtatious behavior to attract customers, potentially crossing the line into low-quality services.
- Sustainability Concerns: What happens when customers lose interest after the initial excitement wears off? If regulations become stricter (e.g., prohibiting excessive flirtatious behavior), how will billiard halls continue to generate revenue?
Some parents are also concerned that this type of service might influence young people’s values negatively.
In Conclusion
The “assistant economy” has indeed given billiard halls a boost, but it’s more like a short-term solution. Relying on appearance and flirtatious tactics to attract customers is not a sustainable strategy for long-term success. If the industry wants to truly thrive, it needs to focus on improving the gaming experience—by enhancing the venue’s facilities, organizing competitions, and other means that genuinely engage customers. After all, the excitement of novelty will eventually fade, and only genuine passion can sustain a business in the long run.