Young Chinese pay for ‘life stand-ins’ to handle everyday tasks

Young people in China are increasingly hiring so-called “life stand-ins” to handle everyday tasks they do not have the time, patience or experience to complete themselves.

The services range from simple errands to more unusual requests. Taking out the trash can cost 3 yuan, or about $0.45, while having someone wait in line at a restaurant can cost between 10 and 30 yuan. Some customers pay around 2,500 yuan, or $373, a month to have someone cook for them every day.

Other services involve companionship and personal conflicts. Online arguments can cost about 50 yuan, while an in-person session can cost around 188 yuan. People can also pay someone to visit a hospitalized relative with gifts, or spend two hours with an elderly person talking and cooking.

The trend has been described by experts as part of a “lazy economy,” in which consumers use money to gain more control over their time.

Li Na, an associate professor at Jimei University’s School of Finance and Economics, said the practice creates employment opportunities but also carries risks because many of these transactions take place privately, potentially exposing users to fraud and privacy violations.

The growing trend raises questions about whether outsourcing everyday responsibilities gives people greater freedom or takes away some of the experiences that come with daily life.