Bizarre 'Hugging Fee' Case in China: Woman Breaks Engagement, Keeps Part of Dowry

A strange incident from Henan province, China, has gone viral on social media, involving a woman demanding a “hugging fee” from her ex-fiancé. The couple had gotten engaged in January, with the wedding planned for November. The bride had accepted a dowry of 200,000 yuan (about US$28,000) from the groom’s family. However, a few weeks before the wedding, she abruptly called it off, saying she no longer wished to marry him.

The Hugging Fee

After the breakup, the woman agreed to return 170,500 yuan (roughly US$24,000) to her former fiancé but decided to keep the remaining 30,000 yuan as a so-called “hugging fee.” This amount reportedly included other minor expenses. The unusual claim reportedly stemmed from a pre-wedding photoshoot in which the groom had hugged his fiancée lightly, and the woman now demanded compensation for it.

How It Happened

The couple, both from Pingdingshan City in Henan, met through a local matchmaker. As the wedding approached, the bride reportedly became concerned about her fiancé’s honesty and low income. The matchmaker described the family as “fussy” and said that demanding a hugging fee was completely unreasonable and unethical.

Public Reaction

The agreement, in which the woman kept 30,000 yuan, did not sit well with the public. Many criticized the woman on social media, calling her actions a misuse of money and manipulation of emotions.

"1546" data-end="1940">In China, the bride price or betrothal gift is traditionally given to the bride’s family to support them or help with wedding preparations. However, in modern times, disputes over dowries have become common, especially when marriages break down. China’s Supreme People’s Court has clarified that if a marriage is not legally solemnized, the dowry should be returned within a reasonable limit.