How To Meet Chinese Singles in Shenzhen
Let’s be straight with you as quickly as possible: dating Shenzhen singles is tough. It’s hard to break into the scene, and it’s twice as hard to keep up with it. You probably already know, since something led you to search the internet for help with it. If you’re realizing that fact because you only stumbled on this article, well, now you know.
However, there’s no need to give up before you have even tried, or to quit while you’re ahead. We have a lot of helpful tips that will eliminate your blind trials and errors and improve your chances of finding Shenzhen singles to date.
Most of the advice online on meeting Shenzhen singles is quick to point to dating sites like TrulyChinese or other similar location-specific dating websites. While that is not a wrong approach, we have to say it is somewhat incomplete because it skips on providing context and background into the Shenzhen social environment generally, and its dating scene, specifically. That’s like having someone write an exam for a course they didn’t have any syllabus or reading materials for. Very unfair.
So, stick with us, and let’s help you find the love you deserve in Shenzhen, but first, let’s take a quick crash course on what Shenzhen is like so that you can get deeper insights into the social atmosphere. Ready? Let’s go!
What’s Shenzhen Really Like?
Shenzhen is a megacity in the heart of South-Eastern China and is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of China because of its immense contribution to tech and hardware development in the past century. It has become a major tourist attraction because it is also renowned for world-class shopping destinations and contemporary buildings like the 600m-tall skyscraper Ping An International Finance Centre. What’s impressive is that the mainland hub hasn’t always been a developed tourist magnet. The city benefited from a rapid injection of foreign investment due to a 1979 reform policy, and of course from the admirable work ethic of its people.
Okay, that seems like enough economic background to establish that the people in Shenzhen are diverse (foreign investment brings foreign people with it) and have a history that they are proud of.
Now, let’s dive right into why we are here – dating in Shenzhen.
Dating in Shenzhen
As it is with any other part of the world, dating starts with understanding the atmosphere of a place and understanding the people.
Single Men in Shenzhen
If you’re a woman looking for love in Shenzhen, then you’re in luck. Shenzhen is a man hub, thanks to the skewed gender population ratio. To put it plainly, China has far more men than women, so women are highly sought after and have the liberty to be picky. China had a one-child policy as part of their 1979 reforms, in a bid to check its rapidly growing population. Many families aborted female fetuses because the Chinese were traditional about male children carrying the family name and taking care of their parents when they get old.
So, the standards are low for women on the lookout for Shenzhen singles for dating. However, because of the background that the local Shenzhen men had, they may lean more towards traditional values and expect women to be docile and submissive. The more open-minded men are of the younger generation, but then again, their open-mindedness leans strongly towards sexual liberation. If you’re not the type that’s primarily looking for sex, that means your search for a committed relationship may take a while.
However, signing up on a dating website that handpicks mature Shenzhen singles that are on the same search as you could go a long way. It already saves you the hassle of finding someone interested in the same things as you are, since everyone’s hobbies and backgrounds are listed in their bios.
Single Women in Shenzhen
Shenzhen women are upscale and urban. We already mentioned that Shenzhen is an economic powerhouse, and so many of the women have their jobs and are financially independent. Besides, China has a long history of powerful women that have set the bar for gender equality in work and career. In 1960, the yuan currency had a woman driving a tractor printed on it. Another woman who built a textile production factory from scratch despite being from a poor background was embossed on coins spent around 1989.
However, this does not mean that the women do not still uphold Chinese traditional values; first off, China is incredibly community-driven, so the women have close ties to home and family. Also, Chinese families are protective of their children, especially females, so only a few details about the children are hidden.
Now that we have enough insight into Shenzhen’s background and culture let’s finally get you ready with tips on how to meet Chinese singles in Shenzhen.
How to Meet Chinese Singles in Shenzhen
Learn some Mandarin
Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in Shenzhen, followed by Cantonese because of the neighboring Guangdong province. It will do you a lot of good to learn basic Mandarin greetings, as that’s a way to improve your communication skills with the locals. Don’t worry too much about it; Mandarin is not as hard as they say it is. Here are a few one-liners to get you started with:
Hello: Nǐhǎo (Nee how), use ‘Nin hao’ (/neen-haow/) for elderly people.
Thank you: Xièxiè (Shieh-shieh)
You’re welcome: Bù kèqì (Boo kuh-chi)
Good morning: Zǎo (Zhow)
Goodnight: Wǎn’ān (One-un)
My name is …: Wǒ jiào…
Clean up nicely
China is one of the world’s major fashion capitals, and that gives you an idea of what its people are like. Chinese people are particular about looks and hygiene. Heck, they make a fortune off making skincare products. It will be a slap on that reputation if you put no effort whatsoever into your looks. Besides, Chinese or not, people love good-looking, well-presented people. So, take hygiene and grooming seriously. Invest in good clothes and some great cologne or body mist; that’s a good statement already made.
Be social
Shenzhen is one of China’s major tourist attractions because it has many exciting locations rife with social activities. There’s the world-famous Luohu Commercial City, a massive mall with an infinite display of commodities, from custom clothing to souvenirs. Take a cue from many love stories; going to the mall is one way to bump into someone that you may share a spark with. Besides, Shenzhen malls are always packed full of both locals and tourists.
If you’re not particularly attracted to crowded spaces, you could try more serene locations like the Xiaomeisha Beach, Meridian View Center, Overseas Chinese Town East, or the Shenzhen Safari Park.
Going to places that especially pique, your interest could also be a great way to meet someone that shares the same values with you. Are you a gym rat? Then you may find a fitness partner at the Universidad Sports Centre. Love aquariums and sea bodies? Visit the Xiaomeisha Sea World or the Xili Lake Holiday Resort.
The main thing is to be social – the first tried and trusted way to meet people is to do just that; go out and meet people.
Use Dating Websites
If you’re doubtful of this method, you should check out testimonies from several couples that have found love on dating websites. It’s an easy process and particularly useful for people who are still adhering to lockdown directives and staying at home to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Discard stereotypes and rumors
The word on the street is that Shenzhen females are more likely to date non-Chinese people than locals. They also paint the males as more likely to go for foreign migrants than local Chinese women. We have no facts to discredit these, but if you are sure of what you want, and have the confidence and charm to go after it, anything is possible.
Many people also paint the Shenzhen dating scene as primarily geared toward sex. While it is true that Shenzhen youths are more sexually liberated, we have to state that it is not a Shenzhen-specific problem. All around the world, the dynamics of sexual relationships are rapidly changing, and the only way to get what you want is to have a clearly defined personality yourself. That way, you can attract similar energy to yours.
Please keep an open mind and seek to understand individuals based on their background and experiences, not based on hearsay and who said what online.
Keep the culture in mind
Chinese etiquette is intricate and requires some background knowledge if you want to function normally in their society. If you are a foreigner staying in the city for more than a short visit, it’s best to learn beforehand. Some things that are considered normal are offensive to the Chinese. For example, it is deemed to be rude to walk up to a stranger in the street.
Also, Chinese people can seem intrusive in conversation. If you’ve hit it off with someone and ask you about your family, job, or income, don’t be too shocked. That’s them trying to keep things light and keep the conversation going.
If you’ve watched too many Jackie Chan movies and think that all Chinese people bow in greeting to one another, discard that thought. Greet people with a handshake or a nod. You can save bows for your visit to Japan or Korea.
Chinese people are not huggers; that’s also very important to note. Don’t go in for a hug on your first date, thinking that’s the norm.
Overall, be polite, cheerful, and original. That works everywhere.
We hope you find these tips helpful in your search for Shenzhen single for love. Good luck!