The price of love

Normally, young people should not rush into property ownership because they may change jobs or move from place to place in search of their ideal career. But, with real estate white-hot, one gets a feeling of being left behind if you're not tethered to something that's fast moving beyond your reach.

Besides, rental prices are tagged to those of sales. I've seen a rural young couple squeezed out of their rental unit and decide to go back home. They may not have the excitement of bright lights, but at least they can have a place of their own.

But most youngsters would not choose this path. Or they have tried it and relented. A few years ago, there was a mass migration away from the first-tier cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. But most of those who left soon returned. These megalopolises are where the jobs and resources are.

Another reason is more psychological.

In the old days, people could be coerced into marriages. You would marry to please your parents.

Youngsters nowadays would not compromise on that, and that's good.

But the search for the ideal spouse could be endless because whatever chemistry between the pair might be gone once they get into daily routines, with the pitfalls of personality mismatches surfacing.

On the upside, the window for a potential spouse is much bigger now that the Internet has broadened the horizon from a cluster of villages to essentially the whole world.

Still, geographical and other restraints apply. And anyone who's participated in speed dating will tell you that infinite choices mean you might not be chosen.

The sad thing is, your parents do not see it that way.

They can only understand the part about the housing price and blame you for being too picky about dates.

The Chinese New Year is the season when you're supposed to bring home that boyfriend or girlfriend you've been dating for a while.

As customs go, one would not bring a first-time date to meet the parents. It should be someone who is graduating from date to mate, just a small step before the status of a fiance.

Actually, parental approval is usually the missing link that will elevate the relationship to that level.

If you know how persistent Chinese parents are in drilling piano skills into their toddlers, you can imagine the heightened nagging one must endure - albeit over long distance normally - for "bringing that special one" and, later, bearing offspring.

Well, I can imagine the despair of someone who is considering renting a fake date.

It's a risky proposition in the first place. What if the rental is not a good actor and accidentally exposes the scam when grilled by your parents about such details as how you met? What if he or she is a scam artist on a mission to rip you off? (It's so convenient for a stranger to make off with your parents' hidden heirlooms.)

Of course, there are romantic comedies that turn these bogus courting arrangements into real ones.

But I really doubt the chances of that happening, except onscreen. On the other hand, suspicions of flesh peddling could also be unfounded if you examine the details of the ads.

Take this one: "I will carry luggage for you, but it depends on how heavy it is; I can politely chat with your parents and watch soap operas with them, my knowledge in that arena will astound them; but washing their feet? Do not even think about it. I can be used to put down your former beau or the one your parents picked for you. I can act as a bodyguard and beat up those who rob you, but I charge 500-700 yuan extra for each one I knock down. And I'm not responsible for injuries thus incurred. On the other hand, red envelopes of cash gifts I receive in the name of your date will be turned back to you."

Browsing through the virtual mall, I get the impression that most for-rent ads are put up by males.

Could it be women are more vulnerable in this profession? Or men possess more chutzpah?

The rates vary drastically.