Increasing pressures of work and family responsibilities have given rise to a new trend among Chinese youth of “street girlfriends,” which is becoming increasingly accessible and affordable as some young women are willing to offer services such as hugs, kisses and companionship but no sex.
The “street girlfriend” craze was first reported by Southern Weekly magazine in April last year, but the trend garnered little attention online at the time, with fewer than 1,000 likes on Weibo, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
But the service has been spotted in downtown Shenzhen recently, reigniting wider social media debate about the paid dating economy, according to NetEase News.
In Shenzhen, young women have been seen selling hugs, kisses and companionship from food stalls. “Hugs are 1 yuan (14 cents), kisses are 10 yuan, movie companionship is 15 yuan,” reads a sign next to a subway station. Other women set up stalls in pedestrianized squares offering services such as housekeeping and drinking buddies for a fee. “Housekeeping is 20 yuan ($2.80), drinking companionship is 40 yuan an hour,” reads another sign. Some of these women are reportedly making as much as 100 yuan per outing.
Opinions about the street girlfriend trend are divided on social media in mainland China. Some see it as a spontaneous activity that allows girls to pass the time, meet interesting people, relieve stress and socialize. But others say putting a price on women’s companionship is disrespectful and an insult to women’s dignity, and they are concerned about the potential risks to the girls’ safety.
He Bo, a lawyer at Sichuan Hongqi Law Firm, expressed concern about the lack of a clear regulatory framework for “street girlfriend” services, pointing out that the services may turn into prostitution and sexual service trading. He suggested that society should guide young people to conduct normal social interactions in a healthier way to satisfy their social and emotional needs.
Similar services have been reported elsewhere in mainland China, such as in the ancient city of Dali in Yunnan province, where young women have been seen offering “one-day lover” services that include food, hugs and kisses for 600 yuan (US$84) a day, but no sexual acts.
