#29: The Marriage Market
Getting married is a really big deal. Sometimes, it’s more of a big deal to the parents than the single person themselves. In Shanghai, there is a famous Marriage Market where parents and grandparents go to shop around for their grown children’s future spouses. The Shanghai Marriage Market has taken place since 2004 in People’s Square.
The Marriage Market is a big deal. Every weekend, parents gather to find a match for their unmarried adult offspring. They put together posters that include their personal details, like their occupation, income, and education. Then, they can mill around in different zones to connect with other parents and potentially find a good match. It’s certainly a proactive way of finding a future partner!