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Taobao, China's popular shopping
website, says that online searches for the term "rental boyfriend"
have soared by 884 percent over the same period last year. A search for the
Chinese characters of "rent-a-boyfriend" on Taobao.com produces more
than 2,000 results, at a range of prices.
Those prices depend on what the
customer wants. For instance, just going to a movie can cost 50 RMB (about $8)
an hour, but that price doubles if it's a horror movie. Different rates apply
for simple conversation, a dinner party, going out for drinks or meeting the
parents.
One of those new rental services
was created last fall by an entrepreneur who asked to be identified only as Mr.
Gao. He got his inspiration from a newspaper ad that read, "Seeking to
rent boyfriend/girlfriend, monthly salary 10,000 RMB and up." A quick
flash went through his mind, inspiring him to expand his online flower
business.
Renting out boyfriends and girlfriends is a new business in
China. With the Chinese New Year approaching, the whole country has
begun its massive annual migration, with millions of people struggling to get
home. For the many young Chinese who work away from their hometowns, this is
the one time of year when they can spend a week or two at home with their
families. Besides visiting relatives and friends, it's also the perfect time to
show what you have achieved in the past year. For many young people, that means
bringing home a potential mate or spouse to introduce to your family.
Gao told ABC News that the market for rental boyfriends is much
bigger than rental girlfriends. The pressure to get
married weighs heavy
on the shoulders of many Chinese women. Even state media refers to single women
above age 27 as "leftover women." The 26th birthday of a daughter
rings like an alarm bell for many anxious Chinese parents.
Gao owns two online stores selling
flowers through Taobao.com. He has recruited nine young men between the ages of
26 and 32 who he considers suitably masculine to rent out as boyfriends.
Gao chose his candidates carefully
based on several criteria. They must be reasonably good looking, at least
5-feet-6, well-behaved and willing to wear glasses, which some parents consider
a sign of erudition. They had to have decent social skills and be able to get
along with all sorts of could-be in-laws and relatives.
Gao says the proximity of
Valentine's Day to Chinese Lunar New Year this year has given his business an
added boost.
"There are many reasons why
women pay for this service," Gao said. "Some are trying to make their
boyfriends jealous. Some want to bring a boyfriend to attend their company's
annual dinner party to show their bosses that they are settled and stable. The
women who rent a boyfriend to bring home for the Lunar New Year are wealthy
women around the age of 25. Their parents fear losing face and worry that no
one wants to marry their old single daughters."
Gao's website lists the prices for
a range of various services: a wakeup call goes for 9 RMB ($1.45) a day (cell
phone charges extra). You can rent a boyfriend or girlfriend to accompany you
shopping for 40 RMB ($6.42) an hour; going to parties, dinners or just chatting
(pay by the day, or by the hour). The cost of renting a drinking partner
depends on what you drink, with different rates for wine, beer and liquor. An
all-inclusive package goes for 800 RMB ($128) a day. Handshakes, hugs and
goodbye kisses on the cheeks or forehead are free of charge.
Gao's rental contracts even
include a "no sex clause" for female customers. If the rental
boyfriend makes unwelcome advances, the customer is eligible for a refund, and
she can call the police if she likes. But if the customer makes an unwanted
advance, Gao will not return the money.
And if love blossoms?
"If they both like each other
and become real boyfriend and girlfriend," Gao said, "they need to
give me a big red envelope full of cash for being their matchmaker."
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