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Women flock to rent a boyfriend for Chinese New Year
Staff Reporter
2015-02-15
A profile for rent-a-boyfriend services on Taobao. (Internet photo)
The number of Chinese women renting a fake boyfriend to take home with them for the Chinese New Year holidays to shield them from parental pressure to get married has increased, reports Hunan-based news website Voc.
A 33-year-old man working in Nanjing who rented himself out this year said his own parents have liberal views and have not pressured him to get married. He decided to offer his service to help out women who do have such pressure and to make friends.
Many women however would rather suck up the pressure than deceive their parents in this way. A 25-year-old woman surnamed Tan said she would never rent even though her mother and grandmother are bound to bombard her with questions about marriage when she goes home for the holiday. It would be even more trouble if they were to find out out that her "boyfriend" was rented, she said.
The owner of a website offering the service said that the number of men and women renting partners this year has reversed. Most of her clients are in their 30s and are willing to pay even though the price has gone up from 800 yuan (US$128) a day to 1,000 yuan (US$160).
The woman revealed her experience as a fake girlfriend to a man who paid to take her to his hometown in Sichuan during the holiday. She said they held hands and slept in the same room but one on the bed and another on the sofa. Her website does not require an ID card to register but her staff members will check the cards and request video chats to verify client information if there is a "match."
If the male or female clients sign a contract with a rented partner, they enter into a business contract that remains valid as long as they do not violate it by having sex, said Chen Genglu, a lawyer with the Jiangsu FD Yongheng Law Firm. Both female clients and rented girlfriends should be cautious since it would be difficult to protect themselves or provide evidence in the event of rape or sexual assault, he added.
Virtual girlfriend services on sale on Taobao. (Photo/Taobao)
Nearly 400 shops on Taobao are offering fake girlfriend and boyfriend services to the lonely legions of a country with about 200 million singletons. One operator has struck over 15,000 deals and claims a customer satisfaction rate of 94%.
The "perfect lover", of course, comes with a persona of the buyer's choice. You can have an easy-going girl next-door girl or a cool pop star, whichever you prefer. One broker describes the phenomenon as "just like a real online relationship".
Special requirements such as voice chat or photo exchanges cost more. Discounts are available for long-term clients. Brokers generally prohibit "boyfriends" or "girlfriends" from meeting clients in the real world to avoid falling foul of the laws on solicitation.
The business reflects the paucity of opportunities for young Chinese urbanites to fall in love in the real world, according to Zhao Yueling, deputy director of Henan's mental health institute.
"Over-dependence on the internet has weakened their desire and ability to socialize offline. Increased pressure of life in big cities adds to their loneliness," Zhao says
Many buyers of this kind of fake romance are getting over bad relationships or have simply never dated.
One user of the service, surnamed Chen said, "I was used as a back-up boyfriend by several girls since my high school days, but never held the hand of any of them. I don't know whether I truly had a girlfriend," Chen says. Is it so unreasonable that he would choose to pay for the lovey-dovey moments he has never had? A two-month fantasy cost him US$160.
Chen wistfully recalls how his "lover's" first words–"From now on, I belong to you"–pierced his heart. Nevertheless, she has refused his request to extend their relationship to a year.
"I nearly fell in love with her, but she keeps telling me that it is just a business arrangement and will end soon," he said, with a bitter smile on his face.
Cheng An is a virtual girlfriend. She describes clients like Chen who have a desire for a closer connection as "dangerous."
"When the term of the deal is done, we normally delete the client's account," she said.
A college student in Shanxi province, Cheng is used to dealing with down and out men, which she describes as ugly guy or from a humble family background, with little assets.
"They feel bored and empty inside. It's the only way they can find a girlfriend to talk to and kill time," she said.
Cheng apparently does not enjoy the job. Ren Feng, a senior student at a Shanghai university, has worked as a "boyfriend" for only a week, and sees it as a chance to practice his communication skills.
"I plan to start my own business after graduation. It's important to learn how to deal with different types of people, including those you don't like much," he said.
The service also attracts those who have a partner but desire novelty. Shi Wen, 22, from Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, engaged the services of an online boyfriend, who has a totally different style from her real boyfriend who is funny and energetic.
"Why should I tell my boyfriend about this? The deal will expire soon and then I simply need to blacklist the guy," she said.
Zhao Yueling warns that those who pay for fake relationships should be clear about the border between the virtual and real worlds.
