China women pay US$14 to relax with charming men who take them on luxury car rides

The Star

19 hours ago

Young women in southern China are spending 99 yuan (US$14) to relax with fit, handsome men who treat them to luxury car rides after work.
According to the mainland media outlet Vista Hydrogen Business, a new trend called 'city ride' is gaining traction in cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xiamen.
This service features so-called 'man bodhisattvas,' who provide companionship rides in expensive vehicles.
These men are often affluent university students who use their families' luxury cars during their free time to offer rides to female passengers.
Active on social media and confident in showcasing their physiques, they have earned the nickname 'man bodhisattvas' due to their charm and perceived generosity.
Popular vehicles include Porsches, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royces, while Mercedes-Benz and BMWs serve as more budget-friendly alternatives.
A man known online as 'Past as the Wind' recently shared that he is a 180cm tall postgraduate student and a former entrepreneur.
He posted gym selfies and photos with his prized Porsche Cayenne, offering rides for 88 yuan each.
He mentioned that he can take on the role of a big brother, boyfriend, or personal butler during the ride, which is restricted to trips within the city.
He has formed a booking group with roughly 400 members, where clients commend the car, pleasant scent, smooth driving, and his relaxed, sociable demeanour.
Another man from Wuhan, known as 'Lemon Can,' provides Ferrari rides for 99 yuan per half-hour.
Describing himself as an optimistic racing enthusiast, he expresses his willingness to discuss work stress or relationship issues during the ride.
'You can also experience the powerful acceleration and enjoy the roar of the engine,' the 24-year-old shared.
Wang, a university graduate from Fujian province in southeastern China, stated he has offered rides to six women so far, mostly after work, frequently taking them on scenic coastal drives.
'Many of them open up about their relationships, and I help them understand their boyfriends' behaviours,' he explained.
One woman, heartbroken after a break-up due to infidelity, cried in his car for half an hour. She thanked him afterwards and gave him a polite hug.
'I believe a lot of people need this kind of support from strangers. A car can be a comforting space,' Wang remarked.
He plans to take over his family's business by the end of the year, but for now, he is using this time to practise driving and meet new people.
However, some netizens have expressed safety concerns, noting that drivers could learn the home addresses of women living alone.
Wang reassured that he asks clients to book through a ride-hailing app, ensuring that each trip is tracked and monitored.
One of Wang's clients shared that this new form of city ride has made her anticipate the end of the workday.
'It was my first time riding in a million-yuan car! The driver was humorous, and I often shared office gossip with him,' she said.
Previous reports have indicated that some stressed-out women in China are also paying for emotional support from empathetic men known as 'man mums,' offering five-minute hugs for 50 yuan (US$7).
An online observer noted that in an era of fragmented social lives and increasing loneliness, it is understandable that many individuals are willing to pay for brief emotional comfort. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST