Hanging up their suits after leaving the office and donning overalls for the evening's work of street vending is the latest trend among white-collar workers in Chongqing municipality.

Yu Yong, 30, works at a State-owned firm during the day and sells women's pajamas in a downtown street by night. "I am not all that busy at work and enjoy selling on the street because it gives me the grounding I need to set up my own enterprise," Yu said.

Piao Piao (not her real name), 22, has a job in the marketing department of a local company. She decided to be an evening street vendor because she heard it was a good way to make money. "I had to absorb a 300 yuan ($43) loss in my first month, but since becoming more experienced I find street vending both profitable and fun," she said.

The municipality's white-collar street vendors now have their own website on which to share experiences and exchange ideas.

(Chongqing Morning News August 14, 2008)