STRANGE! Chinese Youth Choose “Temporary Partners” To Stay Away From Toxic Relationships

In China, a new style is gaining popularity. According to a  (SCMP) investigation, young individuals who are looking for companionship are searching for temporary partners to avoid hard relationships. The term for mandarin is da zi, which according to the outlet, means “everything can be matched”.  According to the publication, the idea of picking people who share your interests over others—or even knowing them—is at the heart of this unique sort of social connection.

According to SCMP, young people in China are looking for these “temporary partners” on social media sites like Xiaohongshu. They look for individuals who have similar interests in gaming, cooking, fitness, travel, farming, chit-chatting, and music.

These partners can have everyday interactions on WeChat and other similar platforms without really meeting in person. “Having a stranger supervise ensures both of us take it seriously. If I ask a friend or family member to do it, I might not take it as seriously and even argue with them,” one of the youngster who has a temporary partner told SCMP.

This concept gained popularity because young people were feeling lonely and wanted to keep their independence and personal space.

“I am truly very lonely, but I don’t like initiating social interactions. I hope to have a stranger who won’t delve into my life but can keep me from watching movies or eating hotpot all alone,” one of the trend follower said.

However, some individuals experience disappointment when looking for such partners. A 20-year-old told the publication that although he had planned dinner with a male companion, he had to play the role of a good listener during the conversation. The man recalled another instance in which he had love feelings for a female temporary partner but discovered that she was already married.