Jiayuan.com recently released its first report on China’s single men. We would like to share a few interesting facts from the report.

A change from “eating for safety” to “having an organic lifestyle” is slowly but steadily coming to the fore for Chinese youth. When organics is mentioned, most people immediately think of “healthy” -- but also “expensive.” Organic products in China have been regarded as a guard against food safety issues. However, some young tastemakers prefer organic products for other reasons. We asked one woman how organic fits into her life beyond food safety and asked an authority on organic consumption to comment on the movement's development in China. What we found was an image that was more holistic than just keeping safe; the appeal of organic can be linked to larger lifestyle and aspiration changes.

Our team went back to school and asked college students and recent graduates to describe their looks:


Cheer, 21, f, college student major in new media

This semester my style is more refreshing (or qingxin) in design and color than it was last year.

One of the hospital theme party held in Fee Café.

Alice works at a gothic-themed hangout tucked into a quiet street in Shanghai. We were keen to share her impressions of the sub-culture and understand how the cafe helps to build a community.

The Bergstrom Group: What products and services do you offer besides coffee and drinks?

Alice: We also sell Gothic style clothes, do Tarot cards readings, organize themed events, and host a weekly movie night.

TBG: Could you tell us more about the Gothic style clothes? Who are the designers or brands?

Alice: There are more and more original Goth or Gothic Lolita brands, such as 表面咒语(Surfacespell), 第69部门(The 69^th Department), Kred Lanrete, and le Flacon. Some of the brands have 7-9 years of history, they are sold online, some even internationally. The designers and most of the customers are Chinese youth. These indie brands belong to an underground culture, we just provide a platform for them.

Once upon a time, 80s youth used to pay 19 RMB to play at Be For Time tea houses with an all-you-can-drink menu. Recently, we checked out one of the popular spots in the Zhongshan Park area of Shanghai to see how game bars have changed. Located in a normal apartment on the opposite side of Cloud Nine shopping mall, the bar was full of young people playing Killer of Three Kingdoms (aka KTK or 三国杀 in Chinese). Entrance and drinks is now 35 RMB but - as you can see - cups are also printed with characters from KTK.

Jimmy is a 24 year-old Shanghainese who just got married. Marrying at this young age is uncommon in Shanghai - his career is just starting and most of his friends are still single. We asked Jimmy to give us his perspective on sex, marriage and gender dynamics.

TBG: What do you and your wife think of premarital sex?

Jimmy: We actually had sex for the first time one week after we started dating exclusively, but it was not what I had intended to do. I accompanied her one night for her CET4 (College English Test 4). I told myself – and her – that nothing would happen. We talked about our past and then naturally, it happened. We had a serious talk afterward. Because we love each other, we didn’t feel bad or guilty. We agree that sex is one of life's desserts, but not a necessity.