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?!

 

 

American idols

According to my cousin Wendy and her 5th grade classmates, they are all obsessed with Avril Lavigne and Paris Hilton. They love Avril because of her catchy songs (fine, I'll accept that), and they love Paris because she's very "easy on the eyes" (gross, someone test me for STDs just for writing that).

Beer flavored tea

Alcohol has always had a presence in my life growing up in Beijing. I vividly remember my grandpa drinking liquor around me and dipping his chopstick into his shot glass to give me a sample.  There's no drinking age in China so kids are exposed to alcohol at a very young age.  However, culturally, the Chinese drink as a way to enjoy a meal.   So it is not a big surprise to hear that there's not a drinking problem among Chinese youth. 
Pictured here is a popular new beverage that is a combination of beer and tea in a bottle designed to resemble a beer bottle.

 

Lost in translation: Nakedness is loneliness

Addicted to affection

Time for one of my most favorite subjects: dating.  Growing up in Beijing, I can honestly say I never saw any sort of affection between a man and a woman.  I have never seen my parents hug or hold hands. It's not until recent years where affection has become somewhat trendy.  Although you still wouldn't see two people making out in public as you might everday around 4am in NYC, it is very common to see young couples holding hands and staring longingly at each other. 
To my surprise, there is also a verbal affection epidemic.  As I got off the plane, a Chinese man immediately got on his cell phone and announced, "Qin ai de, I've arrived."  The phrase "Qin ai de" literally translates to "the one I kiss and love," which I would consider the equivalent to "sweetheart" or "honey."

My fabulous grandmother

At 77, my grandma is creative, hip and unusually tall (she's around 5'4" and used to be 5'6"). Here she displays some of her artwork and calligraphy, and shows off her favorite reversible Billabong hat.
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Outdoor karaoke

It is no secret that Asians love themselves some karaoke. In Beijing, karaoke is a favorite past time for all ages. Now the big trend is outdoor karaoke. I found this courageous crowd at a place near my grandparents' place that is very similar to Union Square. The station is equipped with a large projector screen and several loud speakers for all to hear. My cousin Wendy even worked up enough guts to sing a song all by herself!
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