If you’ve ever flown on a plane in Hong Kong, you may have noticed the presence of a seemingly innocuous item in the in-flight magazine: the “Airplane Cup.” While the name suggests a harmless piece of aircraft-related trivia, this cup actually has a more salacious connotation in Hong Kong culture. In this blog post, we’ll explore the origins of the “Airplane Cup,” what it’s used for, and why it’s considered such a unique cultural reference.
The “Airplane Cup” actually refers to a specific brand of male masturbatory aid called the Tenga Cup. The Tenga Cup, which is made in Japan, is a disposable masturbation sleeve used by men for self-pleasure. The Tenga Cup is shaped like a closed-ended tube and is made of a soft, pliable material that creates a pleasurable suction effect when used. The Tenga Cup is considered a discreet and convenient way for men to engage in self-pleasure.
So why is the Tenga Cup referred to as the “Airplane Cup” in Hong Kong culture? The answer has to do with the city’s highly efficient, fast-paced lifestyle. Hong Kong residents are known for their long work hours and busy schedules, leaving little time for personal activities like dating or sexual exploration. The “Airplane Cup” is seen as a convenient and discreet way for Hong Kong men to relieve stress and engage in self-care while on-the-go.
The “Airplane Cup” has become so popular in Hong Kong that it’s even been featured in local advertisements. In 2017, popular Hong Kong actor Louis Koo was featured in a Tenga Cup commercial that saw him discreetly using the product while riding on a high-speed train. The commercial was praised for normalizing male self-pleasure and for showcasing the discreet nature of the Tenga Cup.
Despite its popularity, the “Airplane Cup” still carries a stigma in Hong Kong culture. While masturbation is a natural and healthy part of sexual expression, Hong Kong culture still tends to view male masturbation as a taboo topic. As a result, the “Airplane Cup” remains a somewhat hidden aspect of Hong Kong’s culture, known only to those in-the-know.
Conclusion:
The ” airplane cup (飞机杯) ” may seem like a harmless reference to an airline-related item, but in reality, it’s a unique and somewhat taboo reference to male self-pleasure in Hong Kong culture. While the Tenga Cup is a convenient and discreet way for Hong Kong men to engage in self-care, the stigma surrounding male masturbation means that the “Airplane Cup” remains a somewhat hidden aspect of Hong Kong’s culture. However, with the rise of more sex-positive attitudes and marketing campaigns like Louis Koo’s Tenga Cup commercial, it’s possible that the “Airplane Cup” will become a more widely accepted part of Hong Kong’s cultural identity.