Have you ever wondered when marriage will happen—or what it truly means to love someone?
Over the Lunar New Year break, Sea Dragons Gavel Club President Bruce Yu had the opportunity to visit the joint 525th meeting of Smart Toastmasters Club and the 914th meeting of Ship Toastmasters Club in Shenzhen, China. The theme, “Chinese New Year Holiday: Survival Guide to ‘When Will You Marry?’”, tackled these profound questions, and Bruce Yu was impressed by the energy of the members and how open they were to share their personal stories.
In the Table Topics session, members shared a variety of experiences. One male member talked about a female colleague who developed feelings for him, only for the relationship to end because she had a boyfriend from high school. He reflected on how complicated love can be, especially in the workplace. A female member shared her own perspective, saying, “The best way to know if you’ve found the right person is that there’s no clear answer—because the feeling becomes more important after many dates.”
A Mexican guest also shared a thought-provoking view: “I found my love today in this meeting—the love of socializing, the love of getting to know one another, and the love of learning by doing. Love isn’t just one thing.” His perspective was a refreshing reminder that love transcends the boundaries of romantic relationships.
The guest was also quick to compliment Bruce Yu on his height. After Bruce Yu introduced himself and shared some of his hobbies, the guest eagerly asked, “Do you play basketball?” Bruce Yu was delighted to meet someone so warm and positive, especially late in the evening.
The meeting took place at Walmart’s headquarters in China, and many of the members worked for Walmart China. This gave Bruce Yu an incredible opportunity to learn about how people in the corporate world view love, relationships, and inclusiveness. The experience underscored the importance of fostering open dialogue and connection, both in and outside of the workplace.