Yes, yes, yes I'm jaded.

I find it interesting that you managed to find a 'digger' in the classifieds as you were pointing out how jaded I am. Strange coincidence, right? One in a million?

Let me ask you a question. Is she in the minority? Or is she typical? I'll answer the question for you. She's typical. I read that classified ad and thought "I've met 42000 girls like her". They're clones. And typical in a country with 600 million women starts to add up to scary statistics.

I don't care what anyone in this thread says. Most posters aren't necessarily being entirely honest about their experiences anyway.

I wasn't born 15 minutes ago and I had a life before I came here. And the situation is bad here. There are no songs about "no house no car" where I come from.

And, to be fair to Chinese girls, there a couple of societal issues which may be adding more complexity to the situation:
1 - maybe it's more difficult for women to get good jobs or to have equal opportunities here
2 - the one-child policy puts more pressure on women to hunt for men with assets because there's more financial burden to look after their parents.
3 - where i come from, there's no such thing as 'leftover women'.

End of rant.

I guess something that has NOT been stated yet is the age of the person one is looking for. There is definitely a big difference between a young and immature girl and a mature woman over 30. As blobbles mentioned above, as soon as he met the wrong one because he was aware of right and wrong he immediately terminated further contact and moved on to search for the right one. Many people, both men and women make the mistake of being curious when they know the other person is not right from the start.

Definitely right. Maturity and age are important factor.

Perhaps the classifieds on an expat website is a magnet for a certain type of girl.
I agree about maturity. This is not just about age, but milage.
There is also a lot to be said for divorcees. They have a clearer idea of what they want/more specifically what they don't want, and they are under fewer illusions. They are also more likely to be financially and otherwise independent.
They may also have been a trophy that was dropped and replaced by something new and shiny, and they don't want to marry the same kind of man again.

Yes, age and maturity do make a big difference. Someone who already has a successful career/life in China is much less likely to be a "gold-digger". Young girls hanging around bars much more so, I'd have thought.

An independent minded and successful woman in China is much less likely to find a local husband. Many men may find it difficult to marry a woman who is more successful than they are. The successful woman is also more likely to be over 30.

yes, not being able to find a local husband (for various reasons) is another classic reason they start searching for foreign husbands.

Yes, but they are mostly sane women.

The answer (as in most things) is "It Depends" - - and is always highly personal. I don't expect everyone (anyone?) to have an experience like mine - - but:

My soon-to-be wife took a job at the Navy Exchange in Taipei upon graduating from college - - to improve her English while she was waiting to start her job as a stewardess with China Airlines.

Me (Navy officer) on R&R from Vietnam actually fell in love with her the minute I laid eyes on her (YES - - it can happen) Before I went back to VN (6 days) I asked her to marry me. She laughed!!!

Anyway, a long distance courtship started with trips when we could. She agreed that she had felt the same way at first (but was embarrassed to admit it as everyone said it couldn't happen)

So - - since we both agreed - - we decided to marry. Her father (a high-ranking police official) was appalled and said he wouldn't even discuss it for one year.

Meanwhile - - she is now working on the airline and meeting all kinds of people - - but our love endured. We waited the year - - then got married - - and that was 43 years ago.

S0 - - lots can happen - - and there are "nice girls" everywhere. Try professional organizations like Toastmasters.
(Look at yourself - - are you considered a "nice guy" or are you a bar rat)

It's all personal - - but good things can really happen!!

Cheers - - JJ

Congrats JJ on your long successful marriage!. I was divorced before I came to China and finally met my soul-mate.