(CARTOON BY LI SHIGONG)

This summer, a new type of street stall has emerged alongside the sidewalk carts selling street food and fresh summer drinks. Run by college students mostly majoring in philosophy and psychology, these stalls offer a wide range of paid social services—anything from counseling, therapy sessions, psychology tests and deep philosophical discussions to casual chats—to anyone who needs someone to talk to.

Many people remain skeptical as to whether these unseasoned youngsters are qualified to provide counseling. What these people overlook is that college youth can often come up with fresh perspectives and creative interpretations unrestricted by the rules and regulations of a workplace. These stalls also allow college students to engage with all kinds of people and therefore prepare them for an entry into the real world.

Of course, like many other innovative undertakings that have arisen among college students, setting up curbside chat services is no easy task. Challenges abound, failure is constant. So instead of being overly critical of their inadequacy, people should give these students a bit more credit and encouragement.

(Eastday.com, June 9)