Shy and curvier than the Chinese female prototype of leanness, Cui Wenyue, 24, did not have a hot start as a Hooters girl in Beijing. She survived the interview only to become the roly-poly hostess who was told she had to loose 10 pounds.

Today, dressed up in a black clingy low-cut tank top and high-cut shorts, Cui's tag reads Rita. A graduate in Audio and Video Engineering, she flutters her fake eyelashes and says: "I'll stay at Hooters. I quite like the job; it pays well. I hope to step up to a managerial position soon."

From bashful hostess to sexy trainer in just two years, Cui's resilient tale shows how the first Hooters restaurant to open in Beijing ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games evolved from a mere job opportunity to a wild snapshot of changing attitudes toward sex in China.

How did you find out about the job?

I didn't know the restaurant. A friend told me about the job and said it was well-paid for part-time work. When I visited the company's website and saw the sexy outfits, I thought I could never wear those shorts or dance like a Hooters girl. A couple of weeks later, and in need of money for a new computer, I changed my mind and went for an interview.

How did the interview go?

It was a disaster! The manager asked me regular questions about my studies and work experience. We need basic English and to be able to dance and sing. He told me that I'd have to wear makeup, which I never did before, and that I had to lose weight.

What happened next?

I lost 10 pounds in eight days! I took the opportunity to finally lose weight. Two weeks later I got the job as a Hooters girl.

How different is it being a waiter at Hooters compared to a typical Chinese restaurant?

We receive two weeks of training about Hooters culture and best practice. The most difficult for me was to learn the dance routines and hula hooping. The instructors were quite tough on me; I had to get it right if I wanted to stay.

Do you know the meaning of the word Hooters?

Girls with big breasts - we're told about that during training.

Some men complain that Hooters girls in Beijing are not as sexy as they are abroad.

Different girls here have different shapes. The important thing is that we provide a friendly and swift service.

Did you ever receive mischievous comments or were asked on a date?

Except for a few people who looked suspicious, we are never grabbed or assaulted. Most just say that we're sexy and cute.

However, we are not allowed to give out our contact details or date customers.

There are monitors in the corners to protect us and during training we learn how to deal with these situations graciously and to report any odd situation to the manager immediately.

Do you feel like a sex object because you work at Hooters?

To be a Hooters girl is as fit as any other job. This is a restaurant with a concept, where waitresses happen to be in sexy outfits. Some people might not just come here for the food, but our job is merely to offer good food and service.

What do your family and your boyfriend think about you working at Hooters?

My parents didn't take it well in the beginning, not so much because of the outfit, but because they were disappointed that while I was studying at university, I was also working as a waitress. However, they have since visited the restaurant and now both they and my boyfriend support me.

Have you taken on some features of American culture by working there?

I'm more outgoing and confident. My English has improved a lot as well. Unfortunately, I've also acquired a taste for bread with butter and mayonnaise, an unhealthy and caloric eating habit!

How's the salary?

Our salary ranges from 5,000 yuan ($790) to 10,000 yuan a month, plus tips. We know that if we work hard, there are promotional opportunities and that we can get a raise.

What are your future plans and dreams?

My short-term plan is to work hard and make money. My ultimate dream is to travel the world.