For those outside China, have you heard about "leftover girls" (or 剩女 in Chinese)? This is a trendy term in China used to describe girls that are still single after 30 (the exact age being debatable). It is reported that the phrase is so popular that it is included in the new edition of the Chinese-English Oxford dictionary. The phrase has a lot of connotations of course, but I prefer not to go further at this point. I just want to know what foreigners' instinctive feeling is towards the phrase, and if there are similar terms in other countries.
Dear Mandy,
I am 43 and not married, and I am happy to say, I don't feel at all like a left-over : ) !!!! : )
Life is not only about marriage, although marriage sure can be beautiful. A person is of much value, and a woman is not a baby-making machine, but a person. There is a lot in life, not just babies and men!!!! I would like to be married, but honestly I have to admit there are a lot of advantages also to being single : )
One thing is certain, much better single than married to the wrong man!!! I see so many marriages suffering severely, people fighting all the time, screaming at each other, divorcing, beating one another, cheating, abusing their children... are married people necessarily so much more happy??? Some are happy, yet many not so!!! So I much rather wait, and if God brings my way a kind man who is a gem and compatible for me in values and beliefs, as well as fisically, I'll consider it. If not, I am MUCH better alone. I prefer being single than being married into a life of trouble. There is no rush.
Marriage can be great, and if one really wants children, it is best for her to marry at a young age. But that neither the marriage nor the children determine the worth and value of a woman, and neither do they necessarily determine her happiness.
These days so many women prefer not to get married that the term 'spinster' has gone right out of fashion. Some consider it too outdated to use at all. I would never use such a term, or even think of single women over thirty as being left over. Many have careers and have no time for marriage. Marriage is a huge tie, and many women prefer their freedom. As do many men!
The same in my country. We use spinster or old maid as Mareeyaah said. But I think it's none of their business. People should learn not to interfere and meddle in others' lives.
here in our country,we have also use a word about a single lady,its either a spinster, or an old maid, means single lady over 30,but the views about it have changed a lot, as time goes by.. as our country are being influence by western culture its not a big deal anymore. In fact its very common nowadays since many women have become more liberated and independent at present.
That's a stupid term, sorry to say so, but it's not the girl's fault that she is still single. What's she supposed to do, go to men and say please marry me?
