Dummies Replace "Welcome Girls". Ever since Tokyo department stores installed escalators, pretty girls in smart uniforms were stationed at the bottom of each flight of stairs whose job was to bow and say "Irassaimase (welcome) in a happy voice as the shopper stepped on the moving stairs. Due to labour shortage this practice has been discontinued and in any case it was considered a waste of 'Girl Power' as in some stores there were as many as 22 escalators. The "Welcome Girls" are being given sales jobs instead. Photo shows A dummy which has replaced one of the "Welcome Girls" on duty by the escalator of a Tokyo store.
Photo measures 5.75 x 8.5 inches.
Photo is dated 02-02-1971.
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