A growing number of young women in China are shelling out 50 yuan (US$7) for five-minute stress-relieving hugs from “man mums”.
The so-called man mums are a trending group on mainland social media.
The term originally described muscular gym-goers but it now refers to men who combine physical strength with traditionally feminine traits like gentleness and patience.
A stressed-out student recently posted online that she wanted to pay for a hug from a kind, fit “man mum” to cope with thesis pressure.
“I was hugged once in secondary school and felt safe. We can just hug for five minutes at an underground station,” she wrote.
The post went viral, racking up more than 100,000 comments.
A search of man mum on social media brings up more posts from women in major cities looking to pay for hugs.
They choose such men based on manners, patience, body type, and appearance, often chatting privately before meeting. Some tall, athletic women are also considered.
Most hugs happen in public places like underground stations or shopping centres and cost between 20 to 50 yuan (US$3 to U$7).
One woman said that after three hours of overtime, she found a man mum who hugged her for three minutes, gently patting her shoulder as she vented about her boss.
Another, surnamed Chen, said she was feeling low after a failed diet and ended up hugging a postgraduate student from a nearby university.
An online user called Fox met her man mum, bought him a coffee and a book, and after a brief hug, they chatted about exams and hobbies.
“What made me happier than the hug was the warmth from a stranger,” said Fox.
A man who has offered hugs on three occasions said it gives him a “sense of self-worth”.
Another man, Zhou, who also provides hugs, believes his work helps others, adding that many clients struggle with appearance anxiety or work stress.
As of April, he had given 34 hugs, earning 1,758 yuan (US$240).
Zhou always makes sure to put on make-up, perfume, and style his hair to offer the best experience.
He says he does not want to make a living from hugging, saying that charging a fee helps maintain emotional distance.
Some women also say they feel safer paying for hugs to avoid potential boundary issues.
The trend has sparked discussions online, with opinions divided.
One online observer said: “Man mums offer a gentler, more comforting embrace than typical masculine types.”
Another person was not so sure of the trend: “Do not disguise physical desire as healing. Try doing volunteer work instead.”
“Why hug strangers when you could hug your parents or close friends?” a third person asked.
Su Dan, a lawyer from Hunan Gangwei Law Firm in central China, warned that some people may use paid hugs as a cover for sexual harassment. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
