In the early 1800’s it was not a good thing to be “Shanghaied” as a person was kidnapped from his normal environment and entered the life of a seaman. Today if an unmarried person is looking for a bride or bridegroom or if parents and grandparents are searching for that special person for their offspring a trip to the People’s Park in Shanghai, China may be the ultimate answer.
At one time this square was a horse racing track but since 1952 it has become a beautiful park in this large city. Among the green trees, flowers, museums and fountains one will find on Saturday and Sunday an event that is not found elsewhere. It is the Shanghai Marriage Market!
Visitors will find many paper fliers attached to trees, poles and even hung on cords that resemble clothes drying lines. These fliers advertise the young man or woman looking for a spouse and will usually include the hopefuls age, height, occupation, education and if not too shy a personal picture may be attached as well. There also will be parents who approach a potential suitor in person and will describe the vital statistics of their son or daughter. Unfortunately not every person who is being promoted knows that their parents are “helping” them! Additionally there will be the typical matchmaker on the scene to help speed along the process for a small fee.
Parents in China for centuries had used matchmakers almost exclusively to find a mate for their child. The bride or bridegroom had nothing to say about the event as it was usually the sole responsibility of the mother to ensure that the marriage would be beneficial for the family. The children had very little to say and the concept of love and happiness did not enter into the picture.
In more recent years especially during the era of Mao Tse Tung and the Marriage Law he introduced in 1950 the traditional ways of marriage seeking changed. The first section of the law said that a person should have the freedom of choosing his/her partner. The service of a matchmaker was not very much in need, child marriages were banned and both bride and groom were afforded equal rights.
Today parents probably won’t suggest anyone so if in need of a wife or husband and are from China or elsewhere, take a stroll in the Marriage Market in Shanghai and find that perfect mate! Perhaps a person may be happily shanghaied there!
Visitors will find many paper fliers attached to trees, poles and even hung on cords that resemble clothes drying lines. These fliers advertise the young man or woman looking for a spouse and will usually include the hopefuls age, height, occupation, education and if not too shy a personal picture may be attached as well. There also will be parents who approach a potential suitor in person and will describe the vital statistics of their son or daughter. Unfortunately not every person who is being promoted knows that their parents are “helping” them! Additionally there will be the typical matchmaker on the scene to help speed along the process for a small fee.
Parents in China for centuries had used matchmakers almost exclusively to find a mate for their child. The bride or bridegroom had nothing to say about the event as it was usually the sole responsibility of the mother to ensure that the marriage would be beneficial for the family. The children had very little to say and the concept of love and happiness did not enter into the picture.
In more recent years especially during the era of Mao Tse Tung and the Marriage Law he introduced in 1950 the traditional ways of marriage seeking changed. The first section of the law said that a person should have the freedom of choosing his/her partner. The service of a matchmaker was not very much in need, child marriages were banned and both bride and groom were afforded equal rights.
Today parents probably won’t suggest anyone so if in need of a wife or husband and are from China or elsewhere, take a stroll in the Marriage Market in Shanghai and find that perfect mate! Perhaps a person may be happily shanghaied there!
RSS Feed