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What do you see? According to a recent survey by the China Times, more than 70% of Taiwanese people under the age 35 are still single, and 55% among those don't want to get married. To be honest, I am quiet enjoy my single life. But, ever since my two brothers got married, being single became a problem in my family. Every time when I go back to see my family, I have to face the questions and interrogations from my mom:
What is the single night market? Blind dates! I can't believe I am already being thrown into the Single Night Market for sale. But I wasn't worried about it, since my mom is a professional matchmaker and she has matched 100 couples in the past 10 years. But there's only one problem, which my mom keeps telling me: You need to get married soon or you will destroy my kanban! Since when did my marriage have anything to do with her kanban? Anyway, my mom and I embarked on the mission of blind dates, and SHE made all the phone calls and sent my photo everywhere. She even carried my photo to the morning market every day: Hey, this is my daughter. Beautiful, but just too tall. How old is your son?
Thanks, Mom; now I am famous in
every market.
Let me recall my first blind
date, he was a very handsome young man. In a nice restaurant, we both
sat quietly and said nothing, because my mom did all the talking. But I
could tell he liked me, because his eyes were sparkling. At the end of
the meeting, he stood up and presented a gift to me. I thought it must
be him. So my eyes started sparkling and I totally forgot my mom's
order, and, I stood up. Then I looked at him; no more sparkling,
but shocking. Wei, young man, don't be scared, my daughter is good, I guarantee! She can cook; she can clean. She is tall and she is strong. It doesn't matter she's taller; she can be your bodyguard. Until then, I never knew my mom can rap. So, my first blind date failed, and after that, my super matchmaker mom took me through many more blind dates. Just when I thought I would be single forever, my 33rd blinddate showed up. He looked just like Tom Cruise whose wives are all taller than him. And this time, I was determined not to let my mom get in the way. I paid a big tip to the waiter and ask him to keep pouring water into my mom's glass. Finally, my mom had to go to the ladies room, and I got the 5 precious minutes to talk to this Tom Cruise. In those five minutes, I applied all the skills I've learned from Toastmasters; attractive eye contact, effective gestures and body movement, and also beautiful "vocal variety." (would you like some more tea?) Believe me, he was very interested in everything I said and he even commented me on my excellent communication skills. I gave my best table topic answer that day. Even though we had that pleasant five minutes, we didn't go for a second date; he joined another Toastmasters club instead. After so many blind dates, I couldn't help wondering, would things have been any different if my mom wasn't with me? But I am thankful for my mom, because without her, I might have bumped into a blind marriage. Oh, by the way, even though I am still single, I have not destroyed my mom's kanban. Remember my first date? That cute short guy? I introduced him to my best friend Emily and they just got married this July. I will not destroy my mom's kanban; I carry on her legacy. So fellow Toastmasters, do you need a date? Or a matchmaker? Or a bodyguard? Come to me after the contest.
Contest Master.
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