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Alice Yan

A new profession known as “instant reply providers”, or miao hui shi in Chinese, has trended on mainland social media.
For a price, people who do the job offer quick and soothing replies for those who are angry, upset or in need of an emotional outlet.
Not only do they respond very quickly, so-called instant reply providers are good listeners and offer emotional support.
They can earn as much as 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) a month, according to a report by Guangming Daily.

The charges for their services vary depending on the time of day or night.
A majority of such workers regard it as a part-time job and either have an easy full-time job or are stay-at-home mothers, freelancers or university students.
Customers include white collar workers who want to vent their frustration after working overtime, young people who live alone and yearn for communication, couples who do not live in the same city or people who suffer from anxiety, the report said.

“I can chat with you about life, gossip, love and work or simply complain together with you. At the cost of only a cup of milk tea, you can have a good mood for a whole day,” an advertisement from one such woman worker read.
“I will keep it confidential. I have high EQ (emotional quotient) and I am a qualified emotional mentor,” she said, adding that she refuses to talk about topics related to sex.
A woman who works full-time at a state-owned enterprise said she had been an instant reply provider customer for half a year before taking up the job on the side.

She can earn around 3,000 yuan (US$430) by doing it.
“Listening to other people’s stories is also a process of healing for myself. This is a two-way transmission of emotional values,” the unidentified woman was quoted as saying.
“Due to the fact that customers only want to relieve their feelings, they do not need you to help them solve their problems,” some instant reply providers told the media.

According to some, their service is cheaper than psychological consultants, they respond in a timely manner and they do not lecture.
“I get the reply within seconds. That moment brought me a sense of safety. I feel I am valued,” said one customer of her experience.
Another customer said: “I do not need a life mentor. I just need someone to say they are listening to me. An instant reply provider performs exactly that role.”
Statistics show that there are at least 120 million people in China who live alone, most of whom are aged between 20 and 39.


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China ‘instant reply providers’ offer solace by promptly responding to client ventings online

A new job known as an “instant reply provider” has emerged in China. It involves individuals immediately responding to clients’ messages to vent frustrations through online platforms, phone calls or videos. Photo: Shutterstock 

The service offers relief for a range of customers and charges for it vary. Photo: Shutterstock

The instant reply providers offer to help people suffering from anxiety and other problems. Photo: Shutterstock 

The service also caters for people with anger management issues. Photo: Shutterstock 

A psychologist with her client. The instant reply providers say their service is faster and cheaper than getting professional help. Photo: Shutterstock

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News

People & Culture

‘Good listeners’ with a high emotional quotient earn cash by listening to people’s gripes; offer to provide a ‘whole-day good mood’


‘Good listeners’ with a high emotional quotient earn cash by listening to people’s gripes; offer to provide a ‘whole-day good mood’.


Mental health

Social media

China ‘instant reply providers’ offer solace by promptly responding to client ventings online

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Good listeners’ with a high emotional quotient earn cash by listening to people’s gripes; offer to provide a ‘whole-day good mood’

‘Good listeners’ with a high emotional quotient earn cash by listening to people’s gripes; offer to provide a ‘whole-day good mood’