MON, JUN 30
pratyush
Yesterday, I had an intriguing conversation with a Japanese girl.
She asked me a simple question:
“Is there still an arranged marriage system in India?”
When I said yes, her eyes widened in pure astonishment. For her, the idea was alien. She told me that in Japan, marriages are purely “love marriages.” The concept of families orchestrating a lifelong partnership simply doesn’t exist in their culture.
She was so curious to know how arranged marriages actually work.
Who decides the match?
Do the couple meet before marriage?
Is there any love in it at all?
As I explained how modern arranged marriages often give individuals full choice and how love can blossom even after marriage, I realized something profound.
What seems completely normal in one culture can feel extraordinary—or even unthinkable—to someone from another.
For us in India, arranged marriages are just one of the ways people find life partners. Some choose love marriages, some arranged, and many find love within an arranged setup. But to someone outside, it can sound as dramatic as a movie plot!
This conversation reminded me that our worlds are so different yet so beautifully interconnected.
Have you ever experienced a moment where someone was amazed by a cultural norm you take for granted?
Let’s share stories. The world’s a fascinating place. ❤️
WED, AUG 20
RishabhBhaumik
Bengalis consume opium for lunch. It’s called posto : poppy seed pasted with mustard oil salt and onion.