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Young singles in China are navigating the digital dating scene using "ex-partner referrals"
According to South China Morning Post, they share detailed "usage reports" and feedback on their exes with strangers online.
The movement kicked off after a viral social media post requested an "internal referral" for a boyfriend.
"Can any sisters refer me to their ex? I really do not understand why dating is so hard," the user wrote. "If I do not find a normal guy soon, I might need to start drinking herbal medicine to rebalance myself."
Comment sections soon transformed into recruitment hubs
One person from Jilin province even pitched her current partner. "How about my current boyfriend? If we break up, I will let you know," she wrote.
Others took the references into academic territory, claiming their reviews were based on three years of first-hand experience.
The trend has evolved into a structured marketplace for romance. Profiles often resemble a résumé, listing a person's age, location, and zodiac sign.
These listings include a "condition" rating, such as "90% new", to indicate the partner is free from serious issues like infidelity or violence.
Some have drafted a "User Manual for Ex-Boyfriends" for the next person in line. One netizen broke down her former partner's habits: "He needs half an hour of coaxing when he is mad and prefers the lights off during sex," she added.
While it sounds like a joke, some have found genuine success
One woman shared that she matched with a man who was recommended by a girl moving abroad.
This shift is fuelled by a trust deficit, where young people are terrified of scammers on traditional apps.
Singles feel they are avoiding the "blind search" risks of a brand-new romance by choosing "vetted" partners.
"No matter how good a stranger looks, it does not compare to 'Dated. Recommended'," one netizen noted. However, not everyone is a fan.
Critics argue that this culture turns humans into commodities, comparing the process to shopping for vegetables.
Some users questioned if the trend would feel "greasy" if men were the ones referring their ex-girlfriends to one another.
