Fruit for a Wife? What a Beijing Dowry Looks Like

A funny infographic breaking down the value of dowries in different areas of China is making the rounds on Weibo. Not surprisingly, dowries in Shanghai are marked the highest, worth upwards of RMB 100,000 plus a house or flat. But surprisingly, dowries in Beijing are low. The average wife here will empty your pockets only of the following:

RMB 10, 000

2 Daoxiangcun Snacks (or boxes of)

2 Bottles of Maotai Liquor

2 Boxes of Tea

2 Boxes of Fruit

Not a bad price to pay, but seriously Maotai over Erguotou?. We're wondering why women in the capital city of all places would not want more from a suitor. Some comments on Weibo explain the phenomenon as being just a Beijing thing:

“We don’t care about dowries. The guy buys the house, the girl buys the car, it’s basically like that.”

“Because love is love, money is just a part of life. Because loving each other is the invaluable thing in marriage for Beijingnese. No matter richer or poorer, better or worse, in sickness or in health and etc.”

Nice to see Beijingers are so down to earth. Here is the country-wide chart as translated by the Shanghaiist:

Photos: the Shanghaiist, drinks.seriouseats.com, cri.cn, harryanddavid.com, theaustralian.com, seeksbao.com, cultural-china.com