“Rent-a-Boyfriend” Online: The New Spring Festival Sensation

“Rent-a-Boyfriend” Online: The New Spring Festival Sensation
Jan 27, 2013 By eChinacities.com

Editor’s note: This article was translated and edited from ifeng.com and looks at the growing trend of single women “renting” pretend boyfriends to take home and show to their parents during Spring Festival. The trend has become popular over the last year with many online shops now advertising the service, though has received mixed reactions from netizens.

Fireworks and hongbaos aside, for many single urban Chinese, Spring Festival is when it’s to time to face the parents and thrash out the inevitable topic of marriage. In a bizarre bid to aid the hordes of young female singletons, many internet businesses have sprung up in the past year offering “boyfriends” for rent, acting to play a part in appeasing the pressures of the parents. China’s biggest online shop Taobao features countless online stores offering this service to all those single twentysomethings working away from home. But with prices around 600 RMB per day excluding living expenses, it’s not cheap.       

Kisses for 50 RMB? Be my guest

Despite offering free hugs and handholding, there’s a price to be paid for all manner of things that need to be done to keep up the façade. Walking down the street and watching a movie together will set you back 30 RMB an hour. Dining together? 50 RMB an hour. And for the much needed deal-breaker, the kiss, expect to pay 50 RMB a pop.

Bumping into the ex – a close encounter  

One particular “boyfriend”, named “Ahu” will play the part for 600 RMB a day. “I’m a lively guy and a good talker, especially with the old folks,” he says. Ahu also knows that he has to be flexible to meet the standards of different parents: “If the parents like sports, I’ll show up wearing trainers. If they prefer mature guys, I’ll put on a suit and tie. All the details have to be discussed with the employer.”

After working as a rent-a-boyfriend, Ahu gained some fame, appearing on television and the internet. His parents think he’s crazy. His job isn’t without its risks however. “There was one time when this girl wanted to show me off to her ex-boyfriend. He was a big guy with tattoos on his arms. I almost got beat up. Luckily I managed to run away in time.” 

Parental pressure inspires business plan

One Henan-based online shop currently employs eight “boyfriends”, and is owned by a woman. Herself a singleton in her thirties, she got the inspiration to open the business after facing her own marriage pressures from her parents. Things started getting busy at the end of the year, as she managed to persuade eight single men all aged between 22-27 to take up the role of a boyfriend, charging 500-1000 RMB per day. According to her, her employees are not only in it for the money, but are also hoping to find their very own “Miss Right” along the way.

Her business is just one of many. Upon searching “renting a boyfriend to take home for Spring Festival” on Taobao, hundreds of photos appear, displaying information such as the height and educational background of the men. The price differences vary, with businesses either charging by the hour or by the day.

Mixed reactions

How do people feel about this new sensation? One rent-a-boyfriend manager explained that due to the large differences between the two generations, it’s simply a white lie designed to put the worries of the parents to rest. As many young Chinese are now off living in the big city chasing their dreams, difficulties often emerge with traditionally minded parents wanting their children to settle down fast. The “rent-a-boyfriend” craze is perhaps seen as a necessary evil acting as a buffer to please both sides.

Of course, the business isn’t without its fairytale endings, with some women even finding true love with their pretend boyfriends. “When they’re in that situation, who knows what might happen? There could well be a spark, a real connection. They may even end up marrying” the manager added. 

There are many who are strongly against the idea. “It’s irresponsible towards yourself and your parents. It’s another example of the current trust issue we face in our society,” noted a professor from the University of Luoyang.

Many parents also strongly disagree. “Girls need to be careful when looking for a partner. Marriage is a very serious thing and shouldn’t be taken lightly,” an internet user named Yangyang commented.

No legal aid

Although it may be a hot craze, the “rent-a-boyfriend” business isn’t without its legal issues.  Despite any “contract” that the two parties may have signed, it is still invalid in the eyes of the law, and any foul play that could occur between both sides won’t receive legal protection. Although there are currently no known cases of rent boy-related illegalities, it’s a risky business for both sides alike.

Source: Ifeng

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Keywords: boyfriend business China rent a boyfriend China Spring Festival rent boyfriend

18 Comments

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sam.lee

sam

Feb 21, 2013 01:12 Report Abuse

EtienneDeLaat

Wow, this is fun. I am staying now in Shanghai with the Spring Festival. It gonna be boring, but this will help:))

Feb 04, 2013 13:50 Report Abuse

Raunchy

i have lived in china 8 years trying to find a girlfriend and most girls just want money from me as i am a laowei they all come out now in the last 3 years with a set if things to ask eg. (money, income, bank contents, house, car, height, weight, much more) and i have told some if i need to pay for the bride price they can pay for my Semen but the sex is free, so to rent me for up to 1000 RMB a day i can have a lot of girls in a year and by the year i will have the money to pay for the bride price.

Feb 01, 2013 17:16 Report Abuse

Marqus

It is time for you to turn things around. You should be asking these girls about thier financial worth. If they have nothing ? dont waste a minute with them

Feb 03, 2013 08:54 Report Abuse

faadimalik1

Classic Idea I also want to present my Self please tell me where could i signup its a classic way to pass Vacations in China...I am 20 years Old 178cm tall 36 inch Chest.I am in Ningbo free to go any where in China .Contact 15757829430 if any one need me...

Jan 31, 2013 19:28 Report Abuse

stevenchang

When you embark on a subway train in Germany,you will find lots of persons reading books,while you get on any transportation facilities,you will discover a crowd of young guys and gals playing their iphones.This seems a nuance between persons in west and ones in China,but remains of big problems.I suppose you know what it is.

Jan 31, 2013 15:09 Report Abuse

sueshelter

helpless....dont marry for parents,its your own happiness.

Jan 31, 2013 10:24 Report Abuse

tiger_22

sorry to say its mean you don't worry about your parents happiness....?

Feb 01, 2013 01:14 Report Abuse

sueshelter

if i get happiness which is real,not just rent or fake,my parents will be happinsee too. i mean you could find a lover for yourself,your parents will be happy for you.

Feb 04, 2013 12:25 Report Abuse

kaka214

ha ha ha , what a game for human nature, did the laowei count too? actually life style of chinese getting change alot now. but this is the most furious way to make fool the parents.

Jan 28, 2013 00:07 Report Abuse

sueshelter

it is a reality problem of people who borned 1980's

Jan 31, 2013 10:19 Report Abuse

faizi

gr8 so who wana take me to home this new year ,,i m free babes,,,,

Jan 27, 2013 20:17 Report Abuse

sueshelter

how much of you?:P

Jan 31, 2013 10:21 Report Abuse

faizi

hehhe not v expensive ,,,:)

Mar 19, 2013 16:49 Report Abuse

sueshelter

you reply too late~

Mar 20, 2013 09:41 Report Abuse

faizi

hehe but its ok ,,where r u living wht r u doing ..

Mar 21, 2013 11:12 Report Abuse

luggi

maybe a business idea for some expats who are free over the new years? :D

Jan 27, 2013 17:06 Report Abuse

iClark

What a Great Idea!! Where can I Sign Up?

Jan 27, 2013 13:02 Report Abuse