L.O.V.E.

No, this is not an Ashlee Simpson song. This post is about love. Before you go vomit, let me tell you that it's not mushy stuff. A while ago, I blogged about how Chinese people don't use the words "I love you." It's just not our style:

@ Yahoo! Video

I now want to modify my blog. From recent observations, the words "I love you" are somewhat commonly used among Chinese youth. Especially teenagers. Relationships have been, until recent years, for practical reasons. You date (usually one person), you marry, you have kids. You know that song from "Married with Children" that goes, "love and marriage..."? The love part was never a prerequisite for marriage in Chinese culture. Now, romance has been imported from Western culture and has permeated the younger generation. Teenagers are coupling up and celebrating Valentine's day by giving flowers, candy, and romantic cards with the words "I love you." Even my little cousin Kelly who is in the 3rd grade tells me that there are 4 couples in her class. And they always pass notes to each other with the words "I love you" (in English).

Whether it's puppy love or Hollywood love, Chinese youth are in love with the idea of love.