How to refer to ladies who promote a particular beer brand?
I’m writing a novel where one of the characters is a 酒促小姐 (literally translated as “wine promoter miss”). They come to your table (usually in bars and restaurants) and promote particular beer brands.
I’m not sure if this is something that you only find in the country I’m currently living in (Taiwan).
I would like to know what’s the best way of referring to them (since it is for a novel, I just want something short).
I know they are not waitresses because, well, they only promote beer. They pour beer in your glass, and talk to you sometimes, but I don’t think they are hostesses either.
Any suggestions?
I believe that they are collectively called "promotional models" (or simply "promo models"). In the case of beer, wine, energy drinks, etc., they appear to be referred to as "Beverage Promotional Models". Depending on the brand that they are promoting, they might also be called "Red Bull Girls", "Miller Lite Girls", "Bacardi girls", and so on.
Promo girls are not necessarily restricted to bars and are usually seen at launch parties, expos/trade shows/conventions and the like. Their customary presence in conventions has led to them also being referred to as "convention models".
In the UK, we have "promotion girls" or "promo girls" but that can range from promoting any brand from beer to motorcycles.
Certainly in the bars around town, you will usually see a number of them selling drinks, albeit usually shots of vodka, tequila, etc.
For example, here is an agency for such staff.
In my experience in the US, that just isn't something that is done. As such, we don't really have a commonly understood term for it.
The closest equivalent I can think of is the "boothbabes" that one tends to find at conventions promoting specific products. So if I had to come up with a term on the spot to an ignorant audience, I'd probably go with something like "boozebabe". Its a similar enough word to "boothbabe" that a lot of people would at least get the idea.