Source: China Daily

05-10-2009 11:08

BEIJING, May 10 -- Despite great affection for their parents, many Chinese people remain "too shy" to express love for them, according to an online survey.

The poll of around 6,000 people, conducted by Beijing-based recruitment website Zhaopin.com, was conducted as the nation gears up for Mother's Day on Sunday.

Although 74.6 percent of participants said they knew their mothers' birthday, only 25.5 percent would like to actually tell her "I love you".

A girl presents her mother with a paper cup on which  she had drawn a heart and also a kiss at an event on  Friday to mark Mother's Day at a kindergarten in Hefei, Anhui province. (Photo: chinadaily.com.cn/Jie Chen)

"This figure suggests mothers occupy an important place in most participants' mind. Yet, many people still find it 'embarrassing' to express their affection," the survey's organizer said.

As to the form of celebration on Mother's Day, 67 percent of participants said they would prepare some gifts, with 70 percent saying that they would spend no more than 500 yuan (74 U.S. dollars), while 51 percent said they planned to phone their mother because they would either be too busy at work or be away from home.

"I do love my mother deeply but I have never said 'I love you' that often. It just feels quite weird for me to say it to her in person," said Stella Wang, a 27-year-old office worker, noting that she prefers to express her feelings in writing in birthday or Christmas cards.