"Maid cafes" all the rage among Akihabara otaku

Reuters has a fascinating if somewhat disturbing article about the latest blatantly sexist trend in Tokyo. At any of some 30 "maid cafes" in the electronics district, twentysomething geeks are served by attractive young women in frilly, fetishistic maid uniforms who refer to them as "Master" and, well...

At one cafe, maids get down on their knees to stir the cream and sugar into the customer's coffee. At Royal Milk, diners can follow up a meal with a range of grooming services, including ear cleanings. Maids at some of the more attentive shops even offer to spoon-feed customers at their table.