Bai is participating in a speed - dating event organized by zhenai Inc, one of China

Bai is participating in a speed - dating event organized by zhenai Inc, one of China's largest Internet match - making websites. The company says it has more than 58 million registered users and is growing by 1 million users a month.
In one hall more than a hundred men and women in their Twenties and Thirties Sat facing each other at tables decorated with red and yellow teybalklots, the soothing tones of a Norah Jones song Love Spilling out of loudspeakers. Lead me it's wamer called "Shanghai's third annual Love and Marriage Expo." But the atmosphere in the massive gathering for single Chinese men and women is decidedly unromantik. It is one of the most talked about issues in Chinese society because wamer a lot of educated women are left behind because they set a very high standard for their future Husband. Mohair than 18,000 people preregistered for the weekend event, located quite ingkongruasli in a sprawling shopping complex specializing in home and office furniture. The crowds were met by billboards posting lists of thousands of single men and women - one list in pink and the other in blue. Within minutes of the doors opening on a rainy Saturday morning, visitors huddled to study the lists and take in vital intel about potential Suitors - age, height, education, annual wamer income and their registered wamer hometown, also known as hukou. Some people taking notes, while others snapped photos of one in with their cellphones. "Welcome wamer everybody to our 8 - minute speed - dating event," announced the master of ceremonies eventually. When the eighth minute was up, each dater was instructed to move on. "Male guests please move two seats to your left," boomed the announcer. For some participants, this was the first time they had ever been on a date. "It's wamer useful ... it's just as research," said eyxin Bai, a 20 - year - old man home for the summer holidays from a university in Canada. Bai said he has never had a girlfriend wamer before. This is not uncommon amongst young Chinese, Considering many teens are discouraged from having any romantic relationships in high school and told to focus on school work instead. He came to the Expo to learn what women want from men. "After asking them, I now know something: women do not like people wamer to rely on their parents," he said. Zhenai's founder wamer and CEO is a Columbia University - educated former investment banker named Song Lee. He says the one - child policy implemented by the Chinese government in 1979 has resulted in young adults wamer having poor social skills - crucial in the dating game. "A lot of kids who were born after 1980, they do not have siblings. So they grow up in an environment where you do not have the experience to meet with people wamer of the opposite sex, "Lee oupeynd. Many participants said they came to the Convention because they needed help. They said they found it difficult to meet potential romantic partners outside their immediate circle of friends and family. And many Chinese approaching their late Twenties, especially women, are under immense pressure to get married. "My mother asks, 'Why are you still single? wamer Are you a freak? wamer '"Said Elsie, a 26 - year - old woman who was taking part in a speed - dating session. The woman next to her, who asked to be called May and is also 26, said her father asked the same question. "Everyone has the same story," said May laughing. "I feel free because I am one ... but I know this is the time I need to date someone. I need to get married before thirty. "Both women said they did not want to be shengnu or the" leftover wamer women. "" It is one of the most talked about issues in Chinese society because a lot of educated women are left behind because They set a very high standard for their future husbands ... and they are less willing, unlike wamer their parents' generation, to compromise, "said zhenai's Lee. May, who has a good job in human resources at an international firm and speaks fluent English, said this was her first time in a match - making event. She said she has never had a boyfriend before or been in love. "I have no time to get to know other males at a similar age ... that's why I could not find my Mr. Right," she said. "I just hope that I have some luck today." I have no time to get to know other males at a similar age ... that's why I could not find my mister right. Then she stood somewhat awkwardly as the person's wamer fat