Let's Date: A Dating Game Show

Source: Loke Yek Mang | Dreamstime.com

I was watching a Chinese dating game show (我們約會吧/Let's Date!). I don't know all the rules of the matchmaking process. I just know that each guy gets to pick a woman out of the many female participants on the show. The woman he picks can either accept or refuse to date him. If the woman agrees to date the guy, they will leave the stage together. Otherwise, the guy will leave alone and the girl will stay on stage. The next guy will appear again and the whole process repeats. I keep seeing the same girls every time I watch the show. I'm not sure, but I think it has the same female participants for every season. 

The Pressure of Being a Single Chinese Woman

I just read an article on BBC about China's "leftover women". Nine out of 10 guys think that women over 27 is too old to become a potential wife. These women are labled as leftovers or sheng nu. Chinese women are offended by the term sheng nu, though it's still wildly used.

Read the full article about China's "leftover women" on BBC.

In other countries, men aren't that obsessed with age as much as Chinese men do. What the Chinese consider as old is quite young to other nationalities. I guess their high regard for age can be rooted from their culture.

Chinese gives importance to bearing offsprings (especially male offsprings). It is the children's duty to light the incense of their ancestors. If they have no offprings, no one will do these stuff and the ancestors' souls will get lost. So yes, it's quite scary to be childless for Chinese couples.

The Little Girl’s Sentiments on Valentine’s Day

Today is one of the most awaited days of the year. Ironically, this is also the most feared day to a lot of people. Back in my high school and college days, girls who carry flower bouquets in Loves Day are the coolest, the prettiest, and the most envied creatures in school. Girls who haven’t received anything feel especially ugly on this day.

In this new world with Facebook and Twitter, Hearts Day seems to be tenfold worse than in the past. After I logged into my account tonight, a lot of my female friends had already posted pictures of flowers they’ve got from their special someone. My male friends, on the other hand, had broadcasted their love to their girl on their walls. Sadly, I also see some friends who are very transparent about their misery. I feel bad for them. I wish that they’ll finally meet their other half, or that they’d realize that whoever is beside them now is already enough for them.

To my readers, you don’t know me personally. You’ve never seen my face. And I’m a very private person. But I will reveal one thing about myself. I’ve never been in a relationship in my entire life. A few years from now, I’ll be 30. I admit that I had my share of these pessimistic feelings that my lonely fb friends have. So this Valentine’s day, other than spending this special day with my family, I have no flowers, no chocolates, and no three magical words to look forward to LOL.

However, to make this day extra special, I want to tell this to myself (and to the world) before the clock strikes 12:

The little girl may not be the prettiest, the most talented, and the sexiest girl on earth. But my family loves me. Okay, but they’re my own blood, so it’s not really something to brag about. I’ll revise. But my friends love me. Even my pets love me (oh really?). It means that they see something in me. It means there’s something to love about me. I’ll remember my strengths (even if I don’t exactly know them) and I won’t let this cold month put me down!

To my prince (if God would really give me one):

You’re the luckiest man on earth. I just can’t explain why. :)

To everyone who’s reading this:

I wish you not just a day, but an eternity of happiness, warmth, and love. :) 

Happy Hearts Day! <3