Man hires bodyguard to attract women in his hometown

A man hired a bodyguard to escort him to his hometown in Hebei province during Spring Festival so he could impress his neighbours and matchmakers.

The man in his 20s, who uses the name Xiaoran, paid a bouncer 1,500 yuan (HK$1,648) a day to drive him from Beijing where he worked, and provide other celebrity-style services, including carrying his bag and holding his umbrella, china.com.cn reported this month.

Xiaoran said he hired a bodyguard to impress matchmakers in his hometown so they could introduce him to “good” women. His gimmick led to one unforeseen benefit.

His neighbours, who previously argued with his family about the use of a shared land between their properties, took a more relaxed attitude towards the situation, allowing Xiaoran’s family sole use.

Xiaoran is just one of the thousands of people who bought private bodyguard services from China’s e-commerce platforms during the months leading up to the Lunar New Year.

According to Taobao, which is operated by the Alibaba Group – owner of the Post – the number of people inquiring about the service increased fourfold from last year. The service is offered by professional security companies in first and second-tier cities, but targets customers across the nation.

According to one advert, male bodyguards are all above 180cm tall and weigh at least 80kg, are well-trained in physical combat and business etiquette, and have a wealth of experience escorting celebrities.

The companies also provide female bodyguards.

The services they offer range from protecting customers from security threats to picking up children from school.

The comment section on one company’s website also reveals the wide range of requirements by customers.

One mother said she wanted the service to prevent her child from being forcibly taken away by her ex-husband during a custody trial. Another hired a bodyguard to prevent former romantic partners from ruining their wedding.

The companies made it clear that their bodyguards would not engage in quarrelling, fighting or illegal activities.

For Xiaoran, he hired the bodyguard simply to look good in front of people, and he said it was worth the money.

Xiaoran used to drive expensive rented cars when going back home, but said they no longer appealed to him.

Private security is one of the many services to have gone viral on Taobao recently.

Others included virtual study supervision, joke-telling and “scolding and awakening lovesick people”.

“I want to hire a bodyguard to make me look good in front of my relatives at home,” a person on Weibo wrote.