Argentina's Disco Craze: Free Breast Jobs

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Oct. 3, 2008 — -- Argentine discotheques are trying a novel approach to attract more clients -- young women in particular -- to their dance floors: a door prize with the winner getting free breast-enhancement surgery.

Argentina's night life has always been vibrant with dance halls, which often open at midnight or 1 a.m. and stay open until eight or nine in the morning.

But as the economy began to slow after growing at an 8.5 percent annual clip, there's been a falloff in disco customers. A number of club owners throughout the country began the promotion to try to stimulate business, and they claim they're seeing results.

The "breast raffle" started in a disco in the San Juan, the capital of Argentina's San Juan province, and spread rapidly to other parts of the country. It's generated strong revenues and strong criticism from different sectors of society. But the contestants are not complaining.

"It would be great if I could win the contest. I would get a breast-lifting," said Gisela Arraez as she waited in line outside the Sunset disco in a northern Buenos Aires suburb.

A friend of Gisela's, who would not give her name, said she is married with a 1-year-old baby. "With new boobs I would feel great, and I know my husband would feel real happy."

Fernando Maldonado, the general manager at the Sunset, told ABC News that the club plans to sell raffle tickets during the next two weekends, with the winner to be announced Oct. 17.

"We normally have 1,800 persons at our club on weekend nights," said Maldonado, whose club is known for hosting many local celebrities. "From the excitement that has been generated, we expect a big increase over the next couple of weeks, especially with young women, although the idea that many young women will be coming certainly doesn't hurt us with attendance of young men."

Maldonado doesn't see any legal problems with the raffle, saying the winner has to be over 21 to be eligible for the plastic surgery.