John (US)

Didn't pay a dowry for my Chinese wife. But, I know others who have done so. For a lot of girls, it is a matter of face concerning how big their dowry is. It is the same way for the parents. In most cases a large portion of the dowry is given back in the form of gifts, a car or a house depending on the deal made and how cool the parents are.

If your bride-to-be is taking her parents side on a huge dowry, then it is probably best to tell her the deal is off and she should go find another guy. Most girls will take their future husband's side and try to get the best, most reasonable deal possible.

How to live peacefully with a Chinese wife	Top 10 complaints of Chinese girlfriends

The original piece: http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/thread-700702-1-1.html