It depends on the amount of free will your partner has. If they have been living away from there parents it helps a lot. Some still demand the payments as they sell you their daughter others just let the payment slide. Think of it like buying a car. Second hand or older models are cheaper.

I agree. I think its because most chinese arent greedy. They just want a sense of family security. Chinese never feel safe. And they think foreigners are either rich. Or at the very least can always put a roof over their head and food on the table, and if that fails he can take his wife back home and the government will pay for them.

I think one reason my wifes parents have never asked ky salary is because they have always had enough money. But the biggest reason they dont care to know, is that whatever the number is, its enough. Probably more than any chinese she would be likely to find.

In a chinese persons mind no matter how shit our salaries are here, its alot for many chinese. So even if we have no money for a house or a car, they know we could afford it soon. Little do they know all laowai have a super important budget for hookers & blow. Jokes on them!

My FIL to be is a notorious asshole like that. always pressuring us to buy property in China, live in their crappy village or make dowry payments, so far I have refused him on all counts. And all he talks about is money all the time. Luckily my fiance can think for her self and dosen't take his bullshit either.

I've been met by few requirements. My wifes grandfather is often reminding me of the importance of staying healthy. I think that is it. 

I would say they do in a sense, they trust that foreigners have a better ability to make money and provide so the house, car and stuff isn't necessary as long as you take care of their daughter. The greedy ones will demand money.

With my wife, I gave them some money but not much and they paid for the wedding (because it was held in their village), but they got their money back from red envelopes. Plus, I loaned them a good 110 000 RMB that they still owe me. They make enough to get by without worries and they know I will take care of my wife.

I make my own money and we bought an apartment in China (not really pressured, I just prefer to live in my own place if I am going to live in China). My FIL said that I was like a good investment that keeps growing and making more each year, while his real son... is kind of lazy and unambitious. He set him up with a job (his own small business) his house, car and everything was paid for by my FIL...

Yeah it kind of pisses me off that a lazy brat gets a free ride while some people work their asses off... but at least when it is all said and done I can say it was ALL ME.