My college friend, Cathy, has lived in New York for more than ten years and she rarely returns to visit her family and friends. When she does come back, her close friends from college get together to chat and have afternoon tea. Even though Taipei is not a real big city, it's still difficult to get everyone together. Maybe that is the reason why people in Taipei always seem close but still alienated.
I would describe the tea time as a chance to catch up and reminisce about the good old days and make personal comparisons among one another. We are all thirtysomething office ladies who are particularly interested in discussing the role of a modern, independent woman. These days, modern women can be identified with some characters on TV shows, such as the ones in “Sex and the City”, “Desperate Housewives” and “Anego”. The maincharacters of these shows are successful, versatile, yet struggling with lust. However, do they really exit in our society? After exchanging opinions, we finally reach an agreement which we jokingly call, “The criteria to be a modern, independent woman”, listed in the following:
1. Age range is generally between early thirties to late forties.
2. Mental maturity is more important than age.
3. Hold down stable jobs or businesses.
4. Be positive,
proactive and trust the senses when solving problems.
5. Be stylish, but not follow trend.
6. Traveling and personal development are good for self-esteem.
7. Enjoy gourmet foods and shopping.
8. Men are not the first priority in life.
9. Portray a tough outer image, but need someone to rely on.
10.Be able to get along with by oneself;
not concerned about marital status.
11.Maintain a good shape and skin care.
12.Be friendly and easy-going.
13.Be willing to share the personal resources with others.
14.No hang-ups about sex.
15.Enjoy going to fortune-tellers but not believe in fate.
How about you? Can you think about the 16th criterion?
This article is from "The China Times" in 9th of April, 2006 by Lynnie.
I would describe the tea time as a chance to catch up and reminisce about the good old days and make personal comparisons among one another. We are all thirtysomething office ladies who are particularly interested in discussing the role of a modern, independent woman. These days, modern women can be identified with some characters on TV shows, such as the ones in “Sex and the City”, “Desperate Housewives” and “Anego”. The maincharacters of these shows are successful, versatile, yet struggling with lust. However, do they really exit in our society? After exchanging opinions, we finally reach an agreement which we jokingly call, “The criteria to be a modern, independent woman”, listed in the following:
1. Age range is generally between early thirties to late forties.
2. Mental maturity is more important than age.
3. Hold down stable jobs or businesses.
4. Be positive,
proactive and trust the senses when solving problems.
5. Be stylish, but not follow trend.
6. Traveling and personal development are good for self-esteem.
7. Enjoy gourmet foods and shopping.
8. Men are not the first priority in life.
9. Portray a tough outer image, but need someone to rely on.
10.Be able to get along with by oneself;
not concerned about marital status.
11.Maintain a good shape and skin care.
12.Be friendly and easy-going.
13.Be willing to share the personal resources with others.
14.No hang-ups about sex.
15.Enjoy going to fortune-tellers but not believe in fate.
How about you? Can you think about the 16th criterion?
This article is from "The China Times" in 9th of April, 2006 by Lynnie.
If it had to satisfy above fifteen standards, I might say I'm not a modern, Independent woman. Sometimes I was extremely puzzled. I gained nothing in my ages. I didn't have presentable jobs or business, even though the love. sounds I fall into deplorable life.
