Single girls primed for Leap Day ‘confession’ of love

Beijing's single men might be in for some extra attention tomorrow, as some women seem intent on adapting another Western tradition for China, and ask a man for a date on Leap Day, February 29.

The custom, first established in Scotland in 1288, says that single women may propose marriage, instead of waiting for the man to pop the question.

Leap Day, which has been dubbed as "women's confession day" in China, has become a trending topic on social networks, although it seems Chinese women will use the occasion to ask for a date, rather than marriage.

According to Historic UK, a monthly history magazine, Scotland made it legal for women to propose to men. The Scottish Parliament passed a Leap Year Act whereby women could propose to men in 1288.

"I'm all for embracing this foreign tradition if it's from a girl that I like back," said Tang Chenjie, 24, a single male local resident.

But will Beijing's single ladies have the courage to declare their romantic intentions toward the object of their affections?

"I don't feel comfortable being the suitor in the relationship, so I think I'd wait for the guy to confess he has feelings for me," said 19-year-old Zhang Xing.
But Japanese woman, Yoshie Higashi, feels fine about the role reversal.

"Many girls in Japan enjoy confessing to guys that they have feelings, so I'd probably take the opportunity to make a move," said Higashi.

Zhou Xiaopeng, a senior marriage consultant with online dating website baihe.com also thinks that women do not need to wait for a man to ask them out.

"Women nowadays don't have to wait for leap year to initiate courtship. We have lots of registered female members making the first move," said Zhou, "but it could be a nice excuse for girls to ask guys out on Wednesday. The guys should be ready for a confession of love."