China’s Millennials are part just old enough for Dates, but you need more than ever to bring in the necessary money for it, says DW columnist Frank Sieren.
20. May is the Chinese Valentine’s day, the classic way, his Declaration of love
“Where is my iPhone 7?” asks the 17-year-old Chen Ting out of Shanghai, your friend. But she is not in search of your misplaced phone and asks for his help in the search, but asks you for your gift for Valentine’s day. The iPhone 7 is only a placeholder for a expensive attention.
With this expectation, it is not alone among Chinese Millennials, those born between 1980 and the year 2000 and between 17 and 37 years old. Often the expectations do not end in a iPhone 7, the costs in the cheapest Version in China around 700 Euro. The good old saying that a relationship is work, especially, would be hot among China’s Millennials: A relationship is expensive. But to let the fire of the heart flare up, more and more and the best expensive gifts. Love goes through the purse.
Love at a young age is no longer taboo
It sounds like a bad joke in European ears, but among the young people in China is rather old hat. You want a relationship, no one wants to be left without a boyfriend or girlfriend. That has changed, at least in the case of the 16-Year-olds compared to the past drastically. A few years ago, it would have been not accepted, so young relationships. Because good grades and a good career basis were in the foreground. But many remained, in turn, no time to date or have a boyfriend. And all of a sudden, there were a number of well-educated Chinese, who had with the end of the 20 had little experience in love. But the social pressure is large: still the majority of the population is of the opinion that those who are not, as a woman, late 20’s under the hood, is considered “left”. And correspondingly poorer chances in the marriage market. The gifts are then all of a sudden smaller.
The other side of the social pressure not therefore, that to pronounce in China his feelings. So not in love. Because come hell or high water, you want to take the three words “I love You” not in the mouth. Too big a loss of face if the love is not reciprocated. The young people then on all the other conceivable Because of their Affection. A iPhone 7, as a gift to say “I love You” is taken this results in.
Investment in the adored are a Must
It is expected that up to a quarter of their monthly salary is spent, that the love has depth. So many young people invested after six months, about 10,000 Yuan (the equivalent of 1300 Euro) in his love, without being sure that it’s worth it really, and he comes to the goal.
DW-columnist Frank Sieren
On the last Valentine’s day is not celebrated in China in February, but in may – used the opportunity, through money gifts to Express Affection.
Instead of chocolate, flowers or a card with a personal message of Love, there are gifts of Money. 520 Yuan (the equivalent of about 80 Euro) will be there, too. The Numbers 520 (20. May) blades in a row, it is pronounced like the “I love You”. The gifts differ among the lovebirds in the middle Kingdom dramatically from those in the West. “I love You” in monetary Form to Express, is considered to be pragmatic and romantic at the same time. The lives of the young people, especially their parents, the expressions of gifts to their love for the Generation of single children, also primarily in the Form of (money). No wish would be too expensive for you. Because the more expensive, the more one loves, ultimately, the little tyrant.
A Generation that is accustomed to stand
The Millennials are also those children who were born during China’s economic Opening. A Generation which knows the bad times experienced by their grandparents or parents, and, fortunately, only from the history books.
You are privileged if they come from good middle class families, and in the metropolises of China to live, mostly. Because you need to pay off any student loans like their peers in the United States. And also a home no longer need to build, let alone a building loan contract, as this was usually taken care of by the grandparents, but at the latest by the parents. The condo belongs to the family of the man is almost the basic requirement to be a good game to get. The Millennials are the little emperors and empresses, who are used to days, birthdays, or Chinese celebration large money gifts in red envelopes.
Will change so fast nothing. From the autumn, the question will probably be: “Where is my iPhone 8?”, as Apple introduces a new model. All out of love of course.
Our columnist Frank Sieren has lived for more than 20 years in Beijing.