Blind Date

Yohei K. and Ehan G. - A3

Traditionally in India marriage is arranged most commonly by the parents of the couple. Also, it is a tradition to prohibit dating. Now in modern times more Indians are swaying away from traditional arranged marriages, and starting to date and proposing marriages. Also traditional marriages require and involve much more commitment. For example, when a husband of an upperclass family dies, the wife is expected to throw herself into the fire of her husband’s cremation. On the other hand, dating and proposal marriages require much less commitment to the relationship. They allow couples to divorce or break up and move on to other partners. But unlike arranged marriages, proposal marriages have much more intimacy and free will. People can choose their wife and husband instead of marrying people they barely know. We chose dating and marriage because we thought it is a large aspect of the conflict between modern and traditional customs of India and Indian people today.

Mock Dialogue

Modie: Hey

Trady: Hey

Modie: How are you and your wife doing?

Trady: Very good. We recently had children and are planning to buy a new house.

Modie: Oh, you are very committed to your family.

Trady: Thank you, so how are you doing with your wife and family?

Modie: Sadly, not too well. We just got a divorce and she’s trying to win custody of my children.

Trady: Oh that is horrible.

Modie: Yes, but on the good side I have a date with this beautiful girl I met at work.

Trady: You are already moving on?

Modie: Yes, what’s the matter?

Trady: Haven’t you heard of commitment, loyalty to your marriage and your wife? You wife should also be much more respectful and committed to your relationship.

Modie: Are you trying to tell me how to work out my relationships? You say that I don’t have commitment? I had the guts and committed myself to kneel in front of a woman and ask her to be my wife. You had it easy and were arranged in your marriage.

Trady: How long did your marriage last anyway?

Modie: It was a very long…okay; it only lasted for 8 months.

Trady: You think you have commitment when you can’t even commit to a relationship for over a year. I’ve been together with my wife for 8 years and counting.

Modie: Okay, you have me on the commitment part of the relationship. But how long did you know your wife before marrying her?

Trady: One week.

Modie: One week? I knew my wife for 6 months before marrying her. Did you even enjoy being arranged with your wife?

Trady: At first I resented it and it was awkward. I didn’t think I was ready for marriage but my parents forced me into it.

Modie: You see, it was my decision to marry my wife and I felt I was ready.

Trady: Clearly you weren’t ready.

Modie: I realize that but now I’ve learned what marriage is like and I can find the right person for me and not the person my parents thinks is right for me.

Trady: Yes I understand the fact that proposal marriages allow you to make decisions for yourself.

Modie: Yes, and I understand the fact that arranged marriages require more commitment.

Trady: Well I’m sorry that tempers flared but I still believe arranged marriages are more proper

Modie: I apologize as well but in my opinion, proposal marriages are still more appealing to me.

Trady: I’m sorry to hear that but I believe it’s almost time for me to head home, goodbye

Modie: Farewell.

This image displays a traditional Indian arranged marriage practice and how the wife is not happy with her marriage. She has been forced into marrying a man she does not want. Although some may not be happy, couples in arranged marriages have a committed relationship that will last long.