SweetRing's Online Survey: The 10 Questions China's Young Adults Are Most Afraid of Being Asked during the Chinese New Year Holiday

HONG KONG, Jan. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Lunar New Year approaches, what China's young adult population is most afraid of are the questions they are likely to be asked when visiting the homes of friends or the extended family. The dating app SweetRing revealed the results of an online survey directed towards the demographic that asked, what are the top 10 questions that you are most afraid being asked during the Chinese New Year break. "When will you get married?" came in at the top of the list as the most embarrassing, followed by probing questions about relationships and jobs. Remarkably, with the increasing acceptance of alternative lifestyles now becoming a frequent topic at the dinner table, some members of the elder generation may even be driven to ask "Why are you unmarried at such an old age, are you gay or lesbian?" This question ranked very high in terms of the level of embarrassment induced. Questions about one's figure entered the top 10 for the first time.

The top 10 questions the young are most afraid of being asked during the Chinese New Year holiday

1. When will you get married? 
2. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
3. When will you have a baby?
4. What do you do?
5. When will you buy a house?
6. How much money did you gift to your parents?
7. How well did you do on the exam?
8. Have you gained weight?
9. Are you gay or lesbian?
10. How much do you get paid each month? How much was your year-end bonus?

Only 50% of those interviewed are even willing to visit their boyfriend or girlfriend's family during the holiday break, for fear of hearing the comments that one of his or her family members might make such as being asked about their own families or being asked in a forceful manner about their marriage plans. However, the survey also revealed the many evasive techniques the guests deployed to circumvent the questions and the potential ensuing embarrassment. These "solutions" are available on the app, and run the gamut from simply smiling or laughing in reply without giving an answer to changing the topic, pretending to need to answer an incoming phone call on one's phone or politely excusing oneself to use the facilities. Chinese New Year is a time when friends and family get together for fun and relaxation. The results of the survey send a clear message, and we are taking the opportunity to suggest to all parents and members of the elder generation, to respect the feelings of their young guests and refrain from asking such questions during the holidays, so that all can feel at ease, and enjoy the holidays as they are meant to be enjoyed.