{"id":435618,"date":"2026-02-27T09:34:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T08:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=435618"},"modified":"2026-02-27T09:34:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T08:34:45","slug":"chine-nouvelle-tendance-amoureuse-transforme-ex-en-references","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/chinas-new-love-trend-transforms-exes-into-references-435618","title":{"rendered":"In China, a new dating trend is turning exes into &quot;references&quot;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What if your ex became your best recommendation? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/people-culture\/trending-china\/article\/3342232\/new-china-dating-trend-emerges-where-people-refer-exes-new-prospects-akin-job-referrals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In China, a surprising trend<\/a> is shaking up the rules of dating: singles are recommending their exes as if they were a talent to be recruited. An unconventional idea, but one that reveals a new way of looking at love.<\/p>\n<h2> Exes presented as candidates\u2026 for happiness<\/h2>\n<p> On Chinese social media, some young adults are revisiting breakups with a distinctly creative flair. After an amicable separation, they post a &quot;profile&quot; of their former partner to help them find love again. Age, height, profession, passions, personality traits, endearing qualities, and charming little &quot;flaws&quot;: everything is included. The reasons for the breakup are also detailed, often with candor and kindness. Long-distance relationship, differing life plans, imperfect timing\u2026 nothing dramatic, simply an incompatibility.<\/p>\n<p>The initiative reportedly gained momentum after an internet user jokingly asked for an &quot;internal recommendation&quot; to find a boyfriend, using professional jargon. Very quickly, other users joined in. The result: exes presented as serious candidates, with a tone that oscillated between self-deprecation and a genuine desire to help.<\/p>\n<h2> A sentimental CV, Chinese style<\/h2>\n<p> Some posts resemble veritable love CVs. Structured sections, location, year of birth, profession, personality, interests\u2026 all meticulously written. Even more original: &quot;experience reports&quot; based on several years of relationship. A subtle way of saying: <em>&quot;I know him\/her well, I can vouch for his\/her reliability.&quot;<\/em> The former partner thus becomes a kind of moral guarantor, able to attest to the other&#39;s kindness, loyalty, or stability.<\/p>\n<p>In a world where images are often filtered, embellished, and staged, this transparency is appealing. You are no longer faced with a simple flattering description, but with an external, nuanced, and human perspective.<\/p>\n<h2> A response to dating app fatigue<\/h2>\n<p> Behind the playful facade lies a deeper reality: a certain weariness with dating apps. Many singles express their distrust of &quot;too perfect&quot; profiles, embellished information, or disappointing experiences. In this context, an ex becomes a source of information perceived as more authentic. After all, who better than someone who has shared someone&#39;s life can speak about their listening skills, conflict resolution abilities, or capacity for commitment?<\/p>\n<p>Some accounts even suggest that relationships have blossomed thanks to these recommendations. Internet users report contacting a former partner they &quot;verified&quot; online and discovering a genuine compatibility. Proof that love can sometimes begin with simple word-of-mouth... version 2.0.<\/p>\n<h2> Between humor, self-deprecation and a benevolent gaze<\/h2>\n<p> This phenomenon is also appealing because of its tone. Many describe their exes humorously, sometimes as &quot;second-hand items,&quot; alluding to a slight &quot;emotional wear and tear&quot; with a knowing wink. Beyond the jokes, a more body-positive message emerges: each person is presented in their uniqueness, with their strengths and vulnerabilities. Kindness, sensitivity, perseverance, and generosity are valued. Flaws are not demonized; they become human traits, contextual, sometimes simply incompatible with a particular relationship.<\/p>\n<p>This approach reminds us that the end of a relationship doesn&#39;t mean someone &quot;isn&#39;t worthwhile.&quot; On the contrary: you can be a wonderful person and not be a good match for someone at a particular time. This doesn&#39;t diminish your worth in any way.<\/p>\n<h2> A new way of looking at breaking up<\/h2>\n<p> To recommend an ex, a peaceful separation is necessary. This trend highlights an interesting shift: breakups are no longer necessarily seen as dramatic failures, but rather as an acknowledgment of incompatibility. It&#39;s possible to deeply appreciate someone, recognize their qualities, and accept that paths diverge. This more mature and less guilt-inducing perspective opens the door to a different interpretation of love stories: you learn, you evolve, you grow.<\/p>\n<p>It remains to be seen whether this practice will become a lasting phenomenon or remain a viral trend. One thing is certain: by transforming exes into &quot;role models,&quot; these young Chinese are redefining the rules of the dating game. Between pragmatism and irony, they raise a crucial question: in a world saturated with idealized images, isn&#39;t trust the new luxury in matters of the heart?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What if your ex became your best recommendation? In China, a surprising trend is shaking up the rules...","protected":false},"author":8375,"featured_media":435658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5717],"tags":[97833,97333,97372],"class_list":["post-435618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vie-amoureuse","tag-actu","tag-couple","tag-relation"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chine-tendance-amoureuse-transforme-ex-en-references-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chine-tendance-amoureuse-transforme-ex-en-references-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/chine-tendance-amoureuse-transforme-ex-en-references.jpg","author":{"name":"Fabienne Baure","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/fabienne_baure-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":5717,"name":"Love life","slug":"vie-amoureuse","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5885,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Love life section of The Body Optimist unpacks relationships in all their forms: dating, attraction, life as a couple, jealousy, breakups and being single. Advice from therapists, psychological insights and personal stories help you build healthy, balanced relationships, with no pressure to couple up and no one-size-fits-all model.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Love life section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dating and attraction<\/strong>: dating apps, first dates, meeting people offline and feeling confident when someone is looking at you.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Communication<\/strong>: the five love languages, words that soothe and those that wear a relationship down, and why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/fexting-why-arguing-by-text-message-often-complicates-things-444706\">arguing by text<\/a> so often backfires.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Toxic relationships<\/strong>: jealousy, possessiveness, love bombing and manipulation, with tips to spot red flags such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/all-my-crazy-exes-red-flag-lovers-minimize-too-often-444547\">the partner for whom all their exes are \u201ccrazy\u201d<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breakups<\/strong>: grieving a relationship, getting over a letdown, no longer dwelling on your ex, and why some exes move on so fast, explained by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/why-some-exes-quickly-get-involved-in-new-relationships-after-a-breakup-the-taxi-theory-explained-433348\">the taxi theory<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Balance as a couple<\/strong>: keeping your friends, your projects and your own space, even in a relationship.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Every love story<\/strong>: LGBTQIA+ couples, age gaps, long-distance relationships, chosen singlehood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you get over a breakup?<\/h2>\n<p>Getting over a breakup takes time, and the pain often feels like grief: sadness, anger, nostalgia and relief can take turns. A few steps help you through it: limit contact with your ex and the urge to check their social media, put away objects that stir up memories, lean on friends and family rather than isolating yourself, get back to your routines (sleep, meals, movement) and reinvest in activities that are yours alone. Writing down what you feel helps put your thoughts in order. If the sadness lasts for weeks and keeps you from functioning day to day, a therapist can help you move forward.<\/p>\n<h2>Our take on love<\/h2>\n<p>We don\u2019t see being in a couple as a goal to reach: single, exclusive, living together without marrying or in a decades-long relationship, every path deserves to be told without judgment. Our articles reject the idea that you need to change your body to be loved, and remind you that excessive jealousy and control are never proof of love. They speak to all couples, straight and LGBTQIA+, and offer guidance without claiming to replace couples therapy or psychological support.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/can-we-really-change-a-narcissist-psychologists-answer-without-hesitation-428646\">Can a narcissist really change?<\/a>: what psychologists answer, and what it means for you.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/these-7-evening-rituals-that-happy-couples-share-431716\">Evening rituals of happy couples<\/a>: seven simple habits to stay close day after day.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/the-777-rule-avoid-routine-in-a-relationship-436391\">The 7-7-7 rule<\/a>: a simple plan to keep routine from taking over your relationship.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/romantic-cliches-in-cinema-have-taught-us-to-believe-446825\">Romantic movie myths<\/a>: the clich\u00e9s about love that films taught us to believe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>How can you tell if a relationship is toxic?<\/h3>\n<p>A relationship becomes toxic when one partner controls, belittles or isolates the other: checking their phone, constant criticism, emotional blackmail, swinging between passionate declarations and coldness. \u201cNarcissist\u201d gets used loosely online, but narcissistic personality disorder is a clinical diagnosis: focus on behaviors rather than labels. If you\u2019re facing violence, contact a domestic violence hotline or your local emergency services.<\/p>\n<h3>What are the five love languages?<\/h3>\n<p>Developed by American marriage counselor Gary Chapman, the five love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. The idea is that each person tends to express and receive affection in a preferred way. It\u2019s a popular framework for avoiding misunderstandings, not a scientifically validated theory.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you meet someone without dating apps?<\/h3>\n<p>Connections often grow out of activities you repeat over time: a sports club, a choir, a community group, volunteering, evening classes. Say yes to invitations, let friends introduce you to their circle, and start conversations around a shared interest. The goal isn\u2019t to impress at all costs but to create more chances to connect.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: find all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\">sex and relationship topics<\/a>, pleasure and sexual health in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/sexualite\">Sexuality<\/a>, wedding planning and anniversaries in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/mariage\">Marriage<\/a>, and tools to stand your ground in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a>.<\/p>","parent":6135,"count":709,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":5717,"category_count":709,"category_description":"<p>The Love life section of The Body Optimist unpacks relationships in all their forms: dating, attraction, life as a couple, jealousy, breakups and being single. Advice from therapists, psychological insights and personal stories help you build healthy, balanced relationships, with no pressure to couple up and no one-size-fits-all model.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Love life section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dating and attraction<\/strong>: dating apps, first dates, meeting people offline and feeling confident when someone is looking at you.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Communication<\/strong>: the five love languages, words that soothe and those that wear a relationship down, and why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/fexting-why-arguing-by-text-message-often-complicates-things-444706\">arguing by text<\/a> so often backfires.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Toxic relationships<\/strong>: jealousy, possessiveness, love bombing and manipulation, with tips to spot red flags such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/all-my-crazy-exes-red-flag-lovers-minimize-too-often-444547\">the partner for whom all their exes are \u201ccrazy\u201d<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breakups<\/strong>: grieving a relationship, getting over a letdown, no longer dwelling on your ex, and why some exes move on so fast, explained by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/why-some-exes-quickly-get-involved-in-new-relationships-after-a-breakup-the-taxi-theory-explained-433348\">the taxi theory<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Balance as a couple<\/strong>: keeping your friends, your projects and your own space, even in a relationship.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Every love story<\/strong>: LGBTQIA+ couples, age gaps, long-distance relationships, chosen singlehood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you get over a breakup?<\/h2>\n<p>Getting over a breakup takes time, and the pain often feels like grief: sadness, anger, nostalgia and relief can take turns. A few steps help you through it: limit contact with your ex and the urge to check their social media, put away objects that stir up memories, lean on friends and family rather than isolating yourself, get back to your routines (sleep, meals, movement) and reinvest in activities that are yours alone. Writing down what you feel helps put your thoughts in order. If the sadness lasts for weeks and keeps you from functioning day to day, a therapist can help you move forward.<\/p>\n<h2>Our take on love<\/h2>\n<p>We don\u2019t see being in a couple as a goal to reach: single, exclusive, living together without marrying or in a decades-long relationship, every path deserves to be told without judgment. Our articles reject the idea that you need to change your body to be loved, and remind you that excessive jealousy and control are never proof of love. They speak to all couples, straight and LGBTQIA+, and offer guidance without claiming to replace couples therapy or psychological support.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/can-we-really-change-a-narcissist-psychologists-answer-without-hesitation-428646\">Can a narcissist really change?<\/a>: what psychologists answer, and what it means for you.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/these-7-evening-rituals-that-happy-couples-share-431716\">Evening rituals of happy couples<\/a>: seven simple habits to stay close day after day.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/the-777-rule-avoid-routine-in-a-relationship-436391\">The 7-7-7 rule<\/a>: a simple plan to keep routine from taking over your relationship.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/vie-amoureuse\/romantic-cliches-in-cinema-have-taught-us-to-believe-446825\">Romantic movie myths<\/a>: the clich\u00e9s about love that films taught us to believe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>How can you tell if a relationship is toxic?<\/h3>\n<p>A relationship becomes toxic when one partner controls, belittles or isolates the other: checking their phone, constant criticism, emotional blackmail, swinging between passionate declarations and coldness. \u201cNarcissist\u201d gets used loosely online, but narcissistic personality disorder is a clinical diagnosis: focus on behaviors rather than labels. If you\u2019re facing violence, contact a domestic violence hotline or your local emergency services.<\/p>\n<h3>What are the five love languages?<\/h3>\n<p>Developed by American marriage counselor Gary Chapman, the five love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. The idea is that each person tends to express and receive affection in a preferred way. It\u2019s a popular framework for avoiding misunderstandings, not a scientifically validated theory.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you meet someone without dating apps?<\/h3>\n<p>Connections often grow out of activities you repeat over time: a sports club, a choir, a community group, volunteering, evening classes. Say yes to invitations, let friends introduce you to their circle, and start conversations around a shared interest. The goal isn\u2019t to impress at all costs but to create more chances to connect.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: find all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\">sex and relationship topics<\/a>, pleasure and sexual health in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/sexualite\">Sexuality<\/a>, wedding planning and anniversaries in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sexo\/mariage\">Marriage<\/a>, and tools to stand your ground in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a>.<\/p>","cat_name":"Love life","category_nicename":"vie-amoureuse","category_parent":6135}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8375"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=435618"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":435659,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/435618\/revisions\/435659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/435658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=435618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=435618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=435618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}