Chinese Women Pay Rs 600 To These 'Man Mums' For Hugs. Here's Why
In China, a growing trend sees young women paying around 50 yuan (Rs 600) for five-minute hugs from so-called "man mums". Once a term for muscular men, "man mums" now refers to those offering comforting, stress-relieving embraces, valued for their gentleness and warmth. These paid hugs are arranged via chat apps and usually take place in public spaces like malls or subway stations, offering emotional relief during stressful times.
According to the South China Morning Post, 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, according to SCMP.
Most hugs happen in public places like underground stations or shopping centres and cost between 20 to 50 yuan (Rs 250 to Rs 600). 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.
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Social media is abuzz with a latest trend term, man mums, as young women increasingly depend on a 5-minute stress-relieving hug from them for a cost of ₹ 600. The trend is mainly being followed in China currently. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), man mums were originally described as muscular gym-goers. However, over time, the definition has evolved to be men who combine physical strength with traditionally feminine traits like gentleness and patience. In a viral post, a stressed-out woman said she was willing 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. After her post, thousands of other women in major Chinese cities have searched 'man mum' on social media, looking for a hug in exchange for money. Women can choose the type of man they wish to hug based on manners, patience, body type, and appearance. They often chat privately before meeting. Most hugs happen in public places, such as underground stations or shopping centres, and cost between ₹ 250-600 (20 to 50 yuan). Sometimes, tall and athletic women are also considered for hugs. One woman told SCMP that after an exhausting three-hours of overtime, she hired a man mum who hugged her for three minutes. She said he gently patted her shoulder as she vented about her boss. Another shared that she was feeling low after a failed diet and ended up hugging a postgraduate student from a nearby university. SCMP also quoted an online user, Fox, who said her man mum bought him a coffee and a book, and they had a long chat about exams and hobbies after a brief hug. 'What made me happier than the hug was the warmth from a stranger,' said Fox. A man who offers hugs said it gives him a 'sense of self-worth'. While another man said he believes his work helps others, adding that many clients struggle with appearance anxiety or work stress. To offer the best hugging experience, these men ensure their makeup and hair are perfect and put on perfume. A man mum told SCMP that he does not want to make a living from hugging, and charging a fee helps maintain emotional distance. Meanwhile, the women who avail this service said they feel safer paying for hugs to avoid potential boundary issues.
