According to 2007 estimates of Online Dating Magazine, over 20 million people visit one or more online dating services every month. Also, more than 120,000 marriages occur every year from these visits. Yu Zhenhuan, a twenty-nine year old kind-hearted bachelor, hopes these statistics will enable him to find a bride. The friendly Chinese man decided to join an internet dating service when he broke up with his girlfriend of three years. This is not unusual, as the statistics indicate.
Yu Zhenhuan, however, has a rather unusual claim to fame which he says hinders him when seeking a life companion. In 2002 Mr. Yu was granted the title of the hairiest man in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. With 96.5 percent of his body covered by hair, he finds himself at a distinct disadvantage in the dating game.
Of the people he encounters in person, he says that “they don’t take time to get to know me.”
Taking the forthright approach, Mr. Yu plans on being “…honest with any new partners. I tell them at the start that I am listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the hairiest man in the world.” The non-committal atmosphere of the cyber world is very forgiving and Yu says that if he meets potential partners online, “They are happy to chat and genuinely interested in my hairy body, and I hope that my real personality will shine through.”
“In 2002 Mr. Yu was granted the title of the hairiest man in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. With 96.5 percent of his body covered by hair, he finds himself at a distinct disadvantage in the dating game.”
Finding girls willing to look past the hair to the real person has always been challenging for Mr. Yu. His parents very realistically cautioned him that he would “never be able to find a wife.” He has tried various hair removal methods in an effort to appear less hairy. All the methods have failed, including waxing, which he tried but abandoned because the “pain was incredible.” Efforts at shaving off the hair made his skin “like sandpaper.” He hopes that his new approach of just being himself will enable him to find a partner in life.
“This way many girls are shocked when they see me in person, but at least they see the real me and if they get to know me, I hope they will like what they find.”
“I know I am ugly,” was Mr. Yu’s opinion of his looks, “but I am a good person and I need love like everyone else.”
Mr. Yu is not alone in this desire to be accepted for who he is. Many others seek partners who will love them for their personal qualities in spite of their failures and flaws. A heart of gold even if it may be incased in a rather rough or hairy exterior will be a welcome change for many women who seek this characteristic in a husband.
This real world “Beauty and the Beast” tale hopefully will end happily for Mr. Yu. His acceptance of himself and his unique situation is commendable as well as his honest approach to love. When he finds his life partner, it will be for all the right reasons. I hope he finds his Belle.
Thank you Mr. Yu, for sharing your Story with us.
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© 2008 by Sharon Franklin and Story of My Life®