A SINGLE Shenzhen woman has arranged for a man to call her every day while she is on holiday with her parents in her hometown during the upcoming Spring Festival, in order to discourage her family from setting up blind dates for her, yesterday's (Feb 13) Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

The woman, 27, only identified by her surname Zhong, is still single. Her single status at this "advanced age" is worrying her parents, who have arranged for her to meet a number of men in the past three years.

Zhong, who lives in the Shangmeilin residential community, recently entered into an agreement with a man who will call her at least twice a day while she is in Yantai, Shandong Province to celebrate the Chinese lunar New Year with her family.

According to the deal, at least one phone call must be made either at lunchtime or during dinner in order to convince Zhong's parents she is now in a relationship. The man will also wish her family members on the occasion of the New Year. In return, Zhong will pay 600 yuan (US$77) for 20 calls made between Friday and Feb. 23.

"I think this is a very good idea. It is even better than hiring a boyfriend to go home together: cheaper and safer," Zhong was quoted by the report as saying. Zhong said a female friend of hers had taken a hired boyfriend back with her for the Spring Festival last year, which caused her endless trouble afterwards. "Her parents didn't like the 'boyfriend,' and this spoilt the festive atmosphere at home. When she returned to Shenzhen after the festival, her parents called her almost every day trying to persuade her looking for another boyfriend," Zhong said.

With a "boyfriend" who won't show up in person, Zhong is confident that her parents will let her go, at least for the time being.

Zhong's case is the latest and newest solution to problems arising out of family pressure over personal relationships among many single white-collar workers in their late 20s. Two years ago, the idea of hiring a boyfriend or girlfriend for the Spring Festival became popular.

Editor: Wing