25. März 2012

Matchmaking on a Shanghainese Sunday

The public parks in Shanghai attract lots of people, especially on Sundays. As described in a previous article, these parks offer plenty of opportunities for a variety of leisure activities. Actually, the People’s Park on People’s Square features the most curious of all the Sunday activities I have seen so far.

Once, I was strolling over People’s Square. My attention was drawn onto a gathering in People’s park. To my big surprise, the place was crowded with parents who were trying to find matches for their children. DIN A4 sheets provide information such as gender and height, while further descriptions complete the profile. Some parents even offered folders as can be found in job application processes. A discussion and a podcast on Shanghai’s ChinesePod.com confirms this curiosity; matchmaking in the park.