Weibo recommendation | Today's Weibo hot topics. A suitor also frankly stated his own matrimonial requirements in the marriage proposal: "First, not to value beauty excessively; the woman should be decent and chaste. Second, there must be several rounds of oral conversations, lasting for half a year or a year, during which time they would interact as friends before becoming engaged. Third, she should have knowledge without the bad habits of old-style ladies, not be arrogant, and not overly pursue modern trends; her attitude should be gentle, and she should be physically healthy. Fifth, she should have the spirit of sacrifice and dedication to society."
Yesterday, Shenyang collector revealed for the first time a rare book from 81 years ago that taught young men and women how to write love letters - "The Proposal Epistle".
He said that in the same year of 1931, a newspaper in Shanghai published women's matrimonial standards: handsome appearance, medium build, looking dignified at a glance but very amiable upon closer interaction; learning is not about being broad but having specialties; noble character; elegant demeanor, strong physique, full of spirit, clean and simple clothing; dedicated and not promiscuous affection towards women, sincere and not deceitful; no bad habits such as smoking or drinking; having a creative spirit and the ability to preserve traditions.
Jian Hongge said that in the 1930s, traditional marriage systems were challenged and began to change. At that time, many citizens no longer viewed divorce as heresy, social customs further evolved, and more urban youth had the decision-making power over their marriages. Interactions between men and women became more open, and the new type of marital and romantic views mainly focused on pursuing personal happiness and life partners, so people paid more attention to the content and satisfaction of marriage.
81 years ago, marriage proposals were very refined, with dozens of different forms of address at the beginning: "To the esteemed Ms."; "Dear Ms."; "Respected Ms."; "Esteemed Ms..."
The standard for women choosing their ideal husbands was: handsome face, medium build, looking dignified at a glance but very amiable upon closer interaction; no bad habits such as smoking or drinking, etc. The men's matrimonial standards were: not to be superficial; not to be too self-centered; not to be too indecisive.
The men's matrimonial standards were: to have clean habits and abilities; to have comprehensive insight and knowledge; to have a meticulous and thorough mind; to have abundant and cultivated emotions; to have interest and ability in managing a household; not to be superficial; not to be too self-centered; not to be too indecisive.
Chief reporter Wang Zhidong
Collector Jian Hongge introduced that epistles refer to the writing tools used by ancient people, later becoming a synonym for letters. This book was a bestseller back then. At that time, Shanghai book merchants, to cater to the trend, invited an author to compile a book of epistles for men proposing to women, requiring various letter-writing styles and different wording to reflect the proposer's different thoughts and desires, with the fastest possible submission time. After accepting the manuscript, the author had a sudden idea and wrote a "matrimonial advertisement" from the perspective of a new-style woman and published it in the newspaper. The proposal letters came flying in like snowflakes, receiving more than 500 in half a month. After selection and classification, a 100,000-word manuscript was completed in one go. After publication, it received a strong response and was reprinted.
This was the matrimonial standard for men and women in the 1930s.
This book, "The Proposal Epistle," published by Shanghai Yiming Book Bureau in February 1931, only has 57 pages, divided into 101 proposal letters. The content is a compilation of love letters written to propose to women. On the cover is an elegant woman with bangs, wearing a short skirt, and holding a scroll of a book. In the middle are rare green floral patterns from that era. The price was five jiao in silver dollars. On the frontispiece, the author wrote: "For all lovers to become couples."
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A "Comprehensive Collection of Love Letters" from 81 years ago - "The Proposal Epistle". Chief reporter Wang Zhidong took the photo.