Dating in Beijing: Matchmaking

Unlike in the U.S., where there's apparently "plenty of fish in the sea" for you to choose from, in Beijing, there are only a few fish to choose from.  Matchmaking has been a traditional practice that has survived multiple generations.  Although it is not as formal as it used to be (i.e., arranged marriages), it is still considered the safest and easiest way to find a husband/wife. 
My cousin Chloe (Chen Chen), 25, has been matched 3 times from relatives and family friends.  Couples are usually matched based on age, education, and family background.  Once a match is found, the friend or family member "presents" the suitor's info to the other suitor's family, and vise versa.  If both families agree, then a date is arranged for both parties to meet.  From there, it's up to the couple if they wish to maintain communication through QQ, which is similar to AIM in the U.S. 
Courtships tend to last shorter than in the U.S., couples could decide to get married in as little as 2-4 months.  The length of courtship usually depends on age and parental pressure. 
So back to my cousin Chloe...of the 3, she has continued communication with one.  This is considered her first boyfriend ever and she seems ready to marry him.  However, my family does not approve for various reasons, one being that he has an unstable job at a small company doing import/export.  Because the two of them were matched through a family friend, a lot of gossip has been traveled back and forth between the two families adding more fuel to the fire. 
 
Can you imagine dating like this?!