A higher standard of living in Taiwan has given rise to the formation of many service-oriented industries. Continuing our coverage of these new fields, Sinorama this month focuses on matchmaking services.
In traditional Chinese society, men and women were not allowed to have any contact whatsoever unless married; nor could they initiate any type of relationship with the opposite sex. Marriages were arranged by the local matchmaker and approved by the parents. Then, even prenatal betrothals were not uncommon. This system, which was especially hard on the woman since she was separated from her family, saw usage until the beginning of the twentieth century. The twentieth century ushered in a new era for women. They entered schools and assumed a more active role in the work force. This new independence encouraged greater self-assertion in the arena of love and marriage.
Today's more liberal society, however, does not necessarily provide men and women with a better environment in which to select the 'ideal mate'. The competitiveness of the job market and parental pressure to test into a 'good' college, have created more sophisticated individuals, and a corresponding depersonalization of the society. Once young people reach marriageable age, they may have few opportunities to meet members of the opposite sex. Family pressure to marry can acerbate the worries of an eligible single.
To cope with this predicament, public-minded organizations have been established to assist young people find spouses. The forerunner of these groups is the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) sponsored 'Hyde Park' program which brings young people together weekly to enjoy activities like chess, bridge, folk dancing, panel discussions, movies, and music. The director of the program, T'ai Chia-ying explains, "We feel the most important assistance we can render is to provide a natural, relaxed environment for singles to interact in."
The success of the Hyde Park program inspired businessmen to initiate matchmaking centers and computer dating services. The creator of the first matchmaking center, Chen Yi-hsing relates, "At the time, I had many friends pursuing academic and business careers. They were so wrapped up in their work that they had no time to socialize. Once they reached the marrying age, most found themselves cut off from social relationships." Subsequently, Chen and his wife established a matchmaking center to assist their friends and colleagues find suitable mates. The center holds different activities each month including tea parties, picnics and trips.
Computer dating programs have also surfaced in the Republic of China. Interested parties go to the center and respond to a detailed questionnaire concerning personal information, interests, hobbies, tastes, and a description of their ideal mate. The information from this interview is then fed into the computer and compatible singles are paired. A counsellor chaperones the couple's 'first' meeting to insure that conversation proceeds smoothly and that awkward situations do not arise.
Since its inception five years ago, the computer method has registered a success rate of only five percent. Computer matchings are based on technical probabilities and cannot account for subconscious attractions and repulsions. Inaccurately filled out questionnaires also hamper its success. At present, the service has a membership of only 200, which limits the likelihood of compatible matches.
A more successful type of matching service combines computer and video banked information. The application fee of US$100 is viable until a suitable partner is found. In addition to filling out a questionnaire, the applicant also responds to a video-taped interview. This enables both males and females, and their respective families, to screen potential suitors before meeting. First dates are held in the company's offices under the supervision of a counsellor. Computer-video matching services chalk up a thirty percent rate of success.
Matchmaking services for the physically handicapped work to boost applicants' confidence through counselling and social interaction. The 'Garden of Eden' center, organized by a disabled woman, Sun Yi-lan, offers a summer session called 'the season of love' to help handicapped people find suitable partners.
In the past five years, social organizations have expanded their services to include activities for single people who have already reached or exceeded the ideal marrying age. Groups like the China Youth Corps and the Taiwan Provincial Women' s Association encourage young singles from all strata of society to participate in picnics, barbecues and camping outings.
Participants pay a fee to take part in these programs. Rates vary depending on length of time, itinerary, and type of activity. Most counsellors agree that the two or three day activities have better chances of success than day trips which inevitably result in little interaction between men and women. Team sports and games are often a part of the program schedule. These informal and natural encounters extricate men and women from the embarrassment and awkwardness of first dates.
Counsellors are on the alert for two problems. One is caused by veteran members of the group who like to show off, capturing the attention of the entire group. The second is to prevent participants from focusing attention on the counsellors themselves.
Counsellors employ subtle tactics to direct social exchange. Veteran members can help the counsellors by encouraging the shy members of the group to participate. Show-stealers are challenged with the offer of playing the role of counsellor, or are ignored. Tactics make use of group pressure to subdue the disruptive element. Those who zero in on the counsellors themselves are treated indifferently to avoid antagonizing the group. Counsellors are required to have six or seven years experience before they can lead a group.
The contemporary matchmaking service with the broadest general audiences are two television shows, "I Love the Matchmaker" and "The Love Bridge". The former is similar to an old American program called "The Dating Game" which featured three men vying for the hand of the lady, or vice versa. "I Love the Matchmaker" also engages older couples in conversation while separated by a partition. The master of ceremonies then proposes that the two 'make friends'. In "the Love Bridge", couples are paired according to answers they offer to certain questions, then compete in humorous contests.
The producers of the two shows hold different views about the selection of contestants. Huang Chao-yan, of "The Love Bridge", believes contestants, "should be restricted to individuals with better educational backgrounds to maintain the high standards of the program." Hung Li-fu, of "I Love the Matchmaker" feels that the most important factor affecting audience response is the authenticity of the show. He admits that he enjoys the frankness and spontaneity uniquely exhibited by less well-educated contestants.
The popularity of these two programs suggests that contemporary Chinese society is ready to accept the sweeping changes taking place in the arena of marriage.
(Craig Scott Galper)
[Picture Caption]
Social clubs and organizations give single men and women an opportunity to meet the 'ideal partner'.
1.2. The latest method in finding the perfect mate--the computer. Computer-matching center employees feed the information cards into a main computer bank. 3. The Hyde Park Y.W.C.A. sponsors many social activities for single people. Dance instruction classes are among the most popular activities.
The popular television program, "I Love the Matchmaker" uses a 'Dating Game' style format to introduce prospective couples. 1. Upon first meeting, the selected couple often experiences initial feelings of shyness. 2. Once the curtain separating them rises, this couple will have their first face-to-face encounter.
1.2. The latest method in finding the perfect mate--the computer. Computer-matching center employees feed the information cards into a main computer bank.
1.2. The latest method in finding the perfect mate--the computer. Computer-matching center employees feed the information cards into a main computer bank.
3. The Hyde Park Y.W.C.A. sponsors many social activities for single people. Dance instruction classes are among the most popular activities.
The popular television program, "I Love the Matchmaker" uses a 'Dating Game' style format to introduce prospective couples. 1. Upon first meeting, the selected couple often experiences initial feelings of shyness.
2. Once the curtain separating them rises, this couple will have their first face-to-face encounter.
1. Upon first meeting, the selected couple often experiences initial feelings of shyness.
