[By Liu Rui/Global Times]

At a recent girls-only dinner between a few good friends, we shared our love stories, Sex and the City style.

One of us had been dating a Western man for a while and just had decided to move in with him.

"Good for you," we exclaimed, and one of the girls asked, "What about the rent after you move in?" "We'll split it fifty-fifty," she answered.

Right away I noticed the rest of the girls shared a slightly appalled look.

The girls who were a bit surprised at evening out the rent between boyfriend and girlfriend were those who have never dated foreigners.

Compared to Western men, Chinese men seem to be more willing to assume the role of financial provider. I don't want to stereotype here, and I'm sure there are exceptions, but in general Chinese girls are less shy to admit they judge men by their bank accounts and Chinese men seem to accept it as the most natural thing in the world.

If you watch TV or go to those famous wife-hunting corners at public parks in Beijing, you see single men label themselves as "salary 200,000 yuan ($30,462) per year" or "with a two-bedroom apartment in Haidian district." The dating market in China comes with clear price tags.

My parents have been married for over 30 years and my dad has never had his own personal bank account. My mom takes care of all the incomes and expenses, just like millions of other Chinese families. My dad seldom complains as he considers this a form of love for the wife and family, I guess.