進入英語學習論壇下載音頻 去聽寫專區一展身手

They are well-educated, have good jobs and earn respectable salaries, but they are single and over 30, and for many that means they are "over-the-hill" - too old to be married.

METRO asked why such seemingly attractive prospects are left on the shelf when it comes to marriage.

"I think it's their own problem, because they are too picky," said Yang Fan, a 29-year-old man from Chaoyang district.

Yang is an IT engineer at an international organization. He is currently single and is looking for a date in Beijing. He has a few female friends of his age who are single, but he refuses to date any 30-something single women.

Yang believes these smart women have quite high standards for their dates. "Even if they say they want to lower their standards when they think they will be too old to get married, they will ask for more after the marriage. It won't be a happy relationship," he said.

But at the same time, he also admitted that he would feel the pressure if he dated someone who is better educated, earns more money or is taller than him.

"It's a man's responsibility to provide for the family. We say there is a good woman behind every successful man. I prefer a woman who will support me," he added.

"Plus, girls are always aiming too high for their partners. If the girls are as capable as I am, they would not even consider me anyway," the 29-year-old said.

At the same time, the parents of these single women over 30 are really worried about their daughters' happiness.

Before her daughter went to study in Australia five years ago, there were many people introducing men to her daughter, said Wang Xiangbin, a Beijing mother whose daughter is turning 32 in April.

Wang and her husband thought their daughter would have better options if she studied overseas.

"We just wanted her to be more qualified so she could marry a better man, so we sent her to study overseas. But now, she is just too busy with work to date." Wang has been to Yuyuantan Park every weekend for the last two months to exchange her daughter's information with parents who are seeking dates for their sons.

"Now, my daughter is a successful career woman. But those friends, who wanted to introduce my daughter to boys, are saying that my daughter is too good for them now," Wang said.

Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, believes that it's not necessary for women to marry someone older, wiser, or richer.

"I have been married many years to my husband, who is younger, less-educated and earns less. I don't think that has ever affected my happiness," Chen said. "Is it wrong for a woman to want to remain single? Isn't that better than getting involved in a painful relationship that is destined to fail?"

去聽寫專區一展身手

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is fluent in Korean and has a 2-year-old son.