What "marriage" means to a potential bride?

Okaaaay I know its a very sticky topic to touch... but that's what I do. And of course, I make sure I am wearing gloves when I do that! But it is a question you would ask yourself if you are a guy (sorry, I mean 'MAN') and probably get a violent reply if you ask me. Why? Because there is too much manhandling happening around here when it comes to free thinking. I am told India is a land of mystery and culture: its true. Mystery because we end up walking backwards in the name of tradition and culture takes a new meaning even as I write this blog.

So let me get this straight, from what I have seen (and what I have heard) and allowing my own thoughts and fairness in judgement to shape the definition of marriage, the term marriage would mean a forced "holy" union of two strangers who would have seen each other a couple of times under the obligation of the so-called wise elderly members of the family. It is interesting to see that the same "culture" was not around back during the time when kings walked the land of this country. I suppose one would have the decency to ask the other person's hand in marriage and respect the decision even if the proposal was rejected. Coming to think of it, women actually got an opportunity to choose their man! My, my! What 'old-fashioned' way that was! So what is the right way to do it? You tell your daughter to shut her trap and just go with that guy because he is umm… lemme guess... a software engineer, and from good family background, and blah blah... so what?! That is all?

(ROFL!!) Like... do you know ANYTHING about that guy at all???

Some of the reasons I've heard why parents have issues with their young daughters, who have been fortunate enough to use their brains and believe in free will, are so hilarious you would want to throw up if you just had your breakfast. Frankly, I think someone should first ask what the ones whom you want to get married want! How hard is that?! Apparently, that is not entertained one bit! And also we <"we" as in people of my age who live with parents> are "too young to understand" things that they <"they" as in relatives> decide. What is uncomprehending is that we never are grown-up enough to do anything without the consent of those who may not even make an attempt to understand what we feel.

How many times have I felt deja vu when I hear about marriage from people I know. One frustrated friend said it is just another term for "legal prostitution"! So, this is what one calls culture? Screw-up lives? Each story more terrifying than the other... sometimes it makes me wonder how audacious we get by calling ourselves civilized!

Whoever said fiction is strange should have eaten his words by now!