Love and Dating Among Young Chinese

Is it not amusing to see people expressing love, goes on dating and enjoying themselves as if they are the only people in this world? Often times we see sweet lovers young or old holding hands heading to movie houses, parks, restaurants and hotels to date. This is not the case for most young Chinese lovers in China because love, romance and dating are for the most part discouraged during their high school stage. However, they do date when they reach university life.

Expressing love to the opposite sex in China during high school years is prohibited even in online dating. To most parents, their view for young ones should be to concentrate in their studies. To fall in love is a reason for one to be ostracized from the family, friends and even the community. It is considered to them as not a priority in life. Although there are exemptions, burning feelings of falling in love should be suppressed at this time in their life. One distinct example of this cited by an ESL teacher is that when she tried to pair a young lady to a guy of her age in her classroom, she was astonished to witnessed the loud cheering accompanied with boisterous chant among their classmates. This is because they are not supposed to be paired as feelings might sprout in the process.  However, if the feeling is intense that they cannot restrain, it is most likely that they meet with their crush or lover in total secrecy.

Dating is only allowed when they reach universities or college where parents have no direct control over their children and teachers are more lenient to allow it. At this time, they can do what they please because most students attend colleges and universities which are far from their home address. This makes it easier for them to mingle with the opposite sex. Besides at this time, they are now considered adults. When they go dating, it is done in groups. They can go together to dine in a restaurant with friends or go to karaoke and sing. Lovers will only depart from the group if they decided to go for a walk and have a private talk.

What is amazing with them is that they are sweet and caring. They always see to it that their lover is happy and he enjoys being with her lover. Rarely could you see them hold hands on public but they carry their lovers just like a backpack. Usually males carry their lovers at their back for a distance.  They also give importance to little things their lovers give them. They keep gifts for a long time because to them it has a sentimental value.  

Nowadays, with the proliferation of dating sites, university students can now participate dating online. This is especially so because they are now learning the English language that makes it easier for them to communicate with other people outside their country.