Man earns living as a punching bag for 10 years  

男子10年来靠“被人打”谋生 出场费达3000元

走南闯北的谢水平来昆明了。10年来，这个自称“挨打专业户”的48岁男子，在全国各地的酒吧、夜场靠“被人打”谋生。昨日，来昆三天的他还在等待“经纪人”联系“挨打”场地和业务，不过看得出他信心满满。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – A 48-year-old man has been making a living by offering himself as a "punching bag" to people in bars and night clubs for 10 years, Yunnan Information Daily reported.

Xie Shuiping was waiting on Monday for his agent to generate business for him in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province. A number of showings were booked, Xie said, and he expected to charge each showing about 3,000 yuan ($500).

Xie started his career in 2004 at a promotional show at a supermarket. He volunteered to "perform," asking audience members to hit his head with wine bottles.

From then on, Xie earned money by offering himself as a punching bag. Each "performance" generally lasted 20 minutes, Xie said, and when performing in bars, customers were allowed to punch his stomach three times. "Those who beat me down or shake me can receive free drinks from the bar."

"At first, I did it just for fun and didn't think about making a living by it," Xie said. "But later I realized that without money, I could not live."

His appearance fee ranges from several hundred yuan to 2,000 yuan, according to Xie, who said he can make about 20,000 yuan a month.

Even when his wife and two daughters tried to talk him out of getting beat up as a career, Xie was immovable. "I don't think the career is low, and I get paid through my work."

Xie doesn't plan much for his future, but he wants to perform in the US next year. "If possible, I want to drop in at Seattle, to visit the late kungfu legend Bruce Lee. He's my idol," he said.