She Wanted a “Breakup Fee”: Woman Demands Compensation After Calling Off Engagement

In a case that has sparked widespread debate in China, a woman who called off her wedding made an unusual demand from her ex-fiancé: an extra “Breakup Fee” for her emotional distress.

The couple got engaged in January, with the wedding set for November. As per tradition in many parts of China, the man’s family had given a “bride price” of 200,000 yuan (about $28,000) to the woman’s family. Everything was booked, and guests were invited.

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However, just weeks before the wedding, the woman called it off. Her reason? She said the man was “too honest” and his income was too low. While she agreed to return the engagement money, she insisted on keeping 30,000 yuan (about $4,200) of it. She labeled this amount a fee to cover her “expenses and emotional distress” from the time they were together.

The demand stunned the matchmaker, who said that in his ten-year career of arranging thousands of marriages, he had never encountered such a condition. After several days of negotiation, a settlement was reached. The woman finally agreed to return 170,500 yuan, keeping a significantly reduced sum for herself.

This incident highlights the intense financial and social pressures surrounding marriage in China, particularly in regions where a gender imbalance makes finding a partner difficult and expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a “bride price” in China?
It is a traditional cash gift, often substantial, given by the groom’s family to the bride’s family as part of the engagement ceremony. It is a common practice in many parts of China.

2. Why did the woman demand extra money?
She claimed it was compensation for the expenses incurred during their relationship and for the “emotional distress” caused by the breakup, even though she was the one who called off the wedding.

3. Is her demand legally enforceable?
Typically, if an engagement is broken, the bride price is expected to be returned. Demanding an additional “breakup fee” is not a standard legal practice and was seen as unusual and ethically questionable.

4. What was the public reaction?
The story went viral on Chinese social media, attracting over 23 million views. The public debate was intense, with many criticizing the woman’s demand.

5. What was the final outcome?
After negotiations, the woman agreed to return most of the money, keeping 29,500 yuan for herself instead of her initial demand of 30,000 yuan, thus settling the dispute.