Just back from Hainan.
Stunning, stunning beaches/mountains/sea.
You still here Pinks?
Interestingly on the "equality" thang....
Here in HK (and I assume southern mainland China,) it was never traditional for the woman to take the husbands name upon marriage (kids take their dad's surname). Wedding bands were not traditionally exchanged or worn (at least not western stylee). (P'raps others could say whether this is widespread across China?)
This perplexed the poor Brits when they arrived and yet until today remains the norm.
One result is the inability to identify a woman as single/married per se. This is very different than in the west, where traditionally marrried woman wore bands. In my mind, in modern (80's onwards), so-called "westernised" HK, this somehow seems to free many women from the stereotype that easy-classification gives/gave men the opportunity to impose upon women in the west. Particularly among westerners.
And particularly in the workplace.
On the other hand....
One of the consequenses of womens political/financial success in HK is now an imbalance of FEMALES TO MALES.
Traditionally, Chinese men tend to marry women less well educated/poorer than themselves - women marry up. Since China began to emerge slowly from isolation just over 25 years ago, many, many HK men have preferred to take a bride from the mainland - they perceive them as cheaper, less demanding, less "wordly wise", etc. compared to their HK compatriats whom they perceive as educated, career oriented, financially demanding and disinclined to have (many/any) children (HK has the worlds lowest natural population growth).
The result is some 250,000 more woman than men (out of a pop. @ 7,000,000) and, over 100,000 of these between 25 and 35 and single.
Many men have moved north (exacerbating the imbalance,) for it can take ten years waiting for a mainland wife to obtain an exit visa from mainland authorities to join hubby in HK (HK allows 55,000 family reunion resident visas per annum).
So, finally things come round full circle as educated, sophisticated, well travelled, financially secure, HK women are now frequently to be found in the environs of Shanghai, Beijing, and a few other mainland cities. Holidaying for sure, but also, perhaps, keeping half an eye open for that handsome, US educated, returnee, Shanghai business executive. A rising star in a newly privatised S.O.E perchance, with shares in his pocket and an eye for profit.
Ahhhhhh TRUE LOVE!
Woof
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