Question
Here is the question : WHAT PECULIAR TRADITION TAKES PLACE IN SHANGHAI’S PEOPLE’S SQUARE ON SATURDAYS?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Performing monkeys
- A marriage market
- A goldfish market
- Snake charmers
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Make a match for me, matchmaker, make a match for me! On Saturdays, People’s Square in Shanghai transforms into a marriage market, when generations of parents, grandparents, and children congregate to choose the ideal partner for their children. These individuals, who are known as matchmakers, use images and biographies to “broker” marriage contracts on behalf of their loved ones. Though arranged marriages have been on the decline in China over the last few decades, but that doesn’t stop some of these persistent parents from seeking a good match for their child.
Shanghai’s People’s Square is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike, but on Saturdays, it is transformed into a unique cultural phenomenon: a marriage market. This market is a place where parents and grandparents gather to find suitable partners for their unmarried children and grandchildren, and it has become a fascinating attraction for visitors to the city.
The market takes place every Saturday from early morning until mid-afternoon, and it is a bustling and lively scene. Rows of umbrellas are set up, each with a piece of paper attached to it. On the paper, information about a potential partner is written, including their age, height, education level, income, and occupation. Some umbrellas even have photos attached to them.
Parents and grandparents wander around the market, carefully examining the information on the umbrellas and chatting with other families. They exchange information about their children or grandchildren and negotiate potential matches. Some families bring along their unmarried children or grandchildren to meet potential partners in person.
The marriage market in Shanghai has a long history, dating back to the 1980s when it first began as a small gathering in a park. Since then, it has grown in popularity and size, with hundreds of people gathering each week to participate.
While some may view the market as a traditional and cultural practice, it has also been criticized for its emphasis on materialistic and superficial qualities, such as income and occupation, rather than emotional connection and compatibility. Additionally, the market can be seen as perpetuating traditional gender roles, with parents and grandparents typically seeking partners for their daughters and granddaughters, while sons and grandsons are expected to find partners on their own.
the marriage market in Shanghai remains a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. It offers a unique glimpse into Chinese culture and the importance of family in matchmaking. For visitors to Shanghai, it is a fascinating and unusual experience that is not to be missed.