After National Service, Mr Teoh had been unsuccessful in applying to universities. He then chanced upon job openings at the Gentleman Club on social media.
“I like drinking a lot. I go out drinking with my friends often. And I was thinking, ‘how about I make this a job so I can have fun and enjoy, while still earning money?’,” said Mr Teoh.
He declined to reveal exactly how much he earns in a month, but said it was in the “mid-four digits”.
The hosts said they meet patrons of all ages, although most are in their late 20s to 30s. Most of the clientele is also female, but there are occasionally male customers.
“My oldest, most mature customer is actually a 65-year-old male,” said Jay. “Honestly, a lot of people at that age, they have their finances in check, career in check, almost everything in check. And like anybody else, they come out here because they feel lonely.”
Some of the patrons are also rich foreign students – typically of second or third-generation wealth and hailing from countries such as China.
Different customers seek different things, be it companionship or emotional satisfaction, and the host’s job is to fulfil these as best as he can.
For instance, there are women who are newly divorced or whose husbands cheated on them, so they just want to release some stress, said Jay.
Mr Teoh said: “Most of our customers that come here, we would like to give them the ‘boyfriend-girlfriend’ experience.”
DRAWING THE LINE
Despite the emotional intimacy shared with customers, the hosts said they strictly adhere to physical boundaries and keep all interactions non-sexual.
