More from George Couperus

Praveen, a likeable young Indian man, told Grace he was going to marry soon after his return home from sea. We asked the usual questions.

What does she look like, have you any pictures? The answer a long drawn out "noo!".

Have you seen her? Yes, once.

He would spend a long time on the phone. We teased him about it. We asked whom he was speaking with for so long. His answer, my future mother-in-law.

We asked, if he had ever spoken to his future wife. The answer again, a long drawn out, "noo!". Not allowed.

He went on to tell us that his parents wanted the best for him, and that he trusted their judgment. Such a contrast with our free thinking society. How many of us would entrust such a monumental decision to our parents? The thinking of the majority here is that intimacy preceeds committment. Is our way better? Not if you look at the statistics. Here up to fifty percent of marriages are estimated to fail. In India the divorce rate is estimated to be two percent. This makes one think of all the horror stories of forced and unhappy marriages we hear about in the media. It's true, there are some, but given the media's penchant for drama, it is no worse then it is here.
George and Grace Couperus.