Tuesday, February 16, 2010

WHY SINGLE CHINESE LADIES DREAD FAMILY REUNIONS

The social stigma attached to single ladies.


A recent report about single ladies in China resorting to renting male companions to take home for the lunar new year made me wonder why being single for a woman is still considered a social stigma today.

“I’ll be 28 this year, which I think is a normal age to be single, but my parents back home have been harassing me every day to get married. I promised I would bring home a boyfriend for New Year’s, but I’ve been too busy with work and haven’t found one. I don’t want to let my parents down, so I’ve decided to rent a boyfriend to come home with me.” (The New York Times)



For single Chinese ladies, their dread of family gatherings doubled this year as Valentine's Day coincided with the first day of the spring festival. At family reunions during the Chinese New Year celebrations, well-meaning but nosy relatives want to know why Third Auntie Siew Lan is still not married. Is she unable to find a good man, they whisper among themselves. Maybe she is too picky. Maybe men see her as too smart. Or could it be she isn't atractive enough. The whispering behind-your-back continues each year at family get-togethers.
It's one thing to be young, good-looking and single, and another to be middle-aged, not quite a spring chick and still available. I know of many single ladies who are quite happy with their status quo. They are in their 50s and 60s, attractive, financially independent and certainly not desperately in search of a man to complete them. If someone comes along and sweeps them off their feet, fine. If not, no big deal. They are not going to fret or lose sleep over that elusive Mr Right.

Since faithful men are an endangered species, perhaps my single lady friends are wise to steer clear of relationships that may bring them nothing but heartache and pain. Better be safe than sorry. Better be single than divorced...


3 comments:

http://abebedorespgondufo.blogs.sapo.pt/ said...

Good bblog.

CheaHSan said...

Not all are really as the happy CNY is to be happy about..Great sharing.

இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

Thanks for the inspiration and I have placed a link to your post. What a mental torture to that lady. *sigh*