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  These "human advertising displays" must man their assigned posts for eight hours every day. They are allowed a ten minute break every hour. Photo courtesy: CNS.

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PETALING JAYA: If you’ve ever visited Taiwan, you might have seen people carrying handheld signs with advertising on them.

According to CNS, these "human advertising displays" must stand at their designated posts for eight hours every day while holding up their signs. They are allowed to take ten minute breaks every hour, so it’s not exactly unbearable, but it definitely isn’t a walk in the park either.

It's a tough way to make an honest living. On September 19th - after Typhoon Wipha hit Taiwan - these “mobile advertisements” could still be seen manning their posts, braving the wind and the rain to earn their pay.

Wipha hit Taiwan on Tuesday (September 18th), with Taipei experiencing strong winds and torrential rain. As a result, offices and schools in the city were closed. Even the stock exchange stopped trading on that day.

Cars and pedestrians also vanished from the streets in the face of the severe weather; it was as if the city had suddenly been deserted.

The observation deck for Taipei 101 was also closed for a whole day on Tuesday, but for many department stores, shopping complexes and wholesalers it was business as usual.