Chinese people 'too shy' to tell their mums 'I love you'

New Delhi, May 9 (ANI): Chinese people might be the folks with great affection for their parents, but still most of them remain "too shy" to say "I love you".

This finding is based on an online survey of around 6,000 people, conducted by Beijing-based recruitment website Zhaopin.com.

The survey was conducted as the country is preparing for Mother's Day on Sunday, reports the China Daily.

The surveyors found that even though 74.6 percent of participants reported knowing their mothers' birthdays, only 25.5 percent would like to actually tell her "I love you".

"This figure suggests mothers occupy an important place in most participants' mind. Yet, many people still find it 'embarrassing' to express their affection," the survey's organizer said.

When asked how they would celebrate Mother's Day, 67 percent of the subjects said that they would prepare some gifts, while 51 percent said that they planned to phone their mother because they would either be too busy at work or be away from home.

"I do love my mother deeply but I have never said 'I love you' that often. It just feels quite weird for me to say it to her in person," said Stella Wang, a 27-year-old office worker.

She revealed that she preferred expressing her feelings in writing in birthday or Christmas cards.

Liang Hao, a 32-year-old engineer, said: "I have to say that it's difficult for me to express my love for my mother. I think if I did say it out loud, it might confuse her."

Mike Denver, an American working in Shanghai as an English teacher, said: "Very few Chinese, at least those I know, are used to saying 'I love you' ... they may never even say it once."

Hu Shoujun, a sociology professor from Shanghai's Fudan University, said: "The personality of the Chinese people is generally quiet, reserved and serious. For Chinese, it's unnecessary and even regarded as 'weird' to display their affection for relatives and friends." (ANI)