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| Chinese singletons laugh at a matchmaking party in Shanghai |
This is a very tricky question. But in China, the answer may be “Yes”. It certainly isn’t in the movies and books you’ve read. In today’s China, many people are desperate for love and would like to build a happy relationship, with the help of the Marriage Brokers. People chose to turn to them not because they would love to marry someone for money. But they do want to attain romantic love and build a happy relationship. That’s why matchmakers have existed in China for many centuries.
Marriage Brokers is a Big Industry
It is very difficult to track the size of the marriage brokerage business in China, given that the business exists in many different forms. Many big names marriage brokers call themselves “Matchmaker” or “Matrimonial Consultancy”. Usually they are registered and are regulated. Traditional matchmaking services are provided to clients, including wedding arrangement, visa solutions, etc. However, there are some other smaller forms of marriage brokerages which exist as “Translation Consultancy” or “Information Services” business. Business is usually based on the matchmaking services rather than translation services. According to the data released by the Committee of Matchmaking Service Industries, China Association of Social Workers, the country has more than 20,000 traditional matchmaking companies which consist of total 200,000 workforces. There are around 6,000 Internet-based matchmaking agencies in the world. However, it is not always easy to know the exact size of the industry because many matchmaking companies exist in illegal forms as well.
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| Usually women older than 30 hires marriage brokers |
What services do they provide?
Traditionally speaking, marriage brokers will provide services such as matchmaking, personal meeting, etc. While in today’s society, matchmakers provide various services such as party, travel, visa solutions, etc. In recent years, Internet based marriage brokers play a larger role, and many of them even cooperate with local TV stations to provide dating or matchmaking functions as well. One of the most well-known phenomenon of the matchmaking needs can be told by the Chinese TV show “If You Are the One", one of many popular matchmaking shows on which young people seek mates amid ribald jokes from the host and occasional racy comments from guests.
Who hires the Marriage Brokers?
No doubt the economy of China is developing very quickly especially in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Modern Speed Dating has taken off, as boosted by its portrayal in shows such as Sex and the City as something that glamorous people did. The matchmakers in China follow suit as well in order to cater to the busy people. Since traditionally speaking, Chinese people see marriage as their most important goal in life. No matter how they live their lives, they still want to get married no matter what.
Usually, those who hire the matchmaking agencies include:
- Women who are older than 30 years old
In general, it is not easy to get married after you’re 30. But in recent years, women are enjoying a higher social status in Chinese society. In Beijing, you won’t find difficult to meet a career woman who is still single in their late 20s or 30s.
- Women who are divorced or widowed
Honestly speaking, China is still a society dominated by male. If a woman is divorced or widowed, it may not be easy for her to find a new lifetime partner.
How much are they willing to pay?
Depends, as services provided by the brokers vary. According to industry’s news, many who bet their luck on the brokers are willing to pay as high as USD 10000 to the brokers. That’s why many brokers in China are desperately looking for clients who wish to get married. And many marketing efforts are put into practice to help them get love.
Quality of Service
Really depends. Some provide premium one-stop-shop dating services including finding potential mates, dating, dating coaching, relationship consultation, language learning, visa solution, wedding planning, etc.
While some small operated business may not provide quality services. As it is considered as a traditional business, news or objective opinions about the quality service are usually given personally by others who did use the service itself.
