关键词: 打工妹, 身体资本, 城市适应

Abstract: A person’s physical body is being shaped by social forces——the body’s appearance is not only the product of social interaction at its micro level but also influenced by macro-level production and consumption. With the method of observing and interviewing the blue-collar girls （dagongmei） who migrated from rural areas to be working in the restaurant service sector in Guangzhou， the author describes how dagongmei are building their urban world and adapting to the demands of a city life by utilizing and transforming their bodies as their capital resources. The author points out that “to be a real city girl” may be an unrealistic dream to most dagongmei； however， “to look like a city girl” is achievable with just a trivial tactic to change the look of the body. This approach is the precondition for their survival in the city.

Key words: adaptation to city life, body as the capital, dagongmei