Will you marry me?

On Sunday, Sri Lanka’s newspapers, like those in many other counties are especially thick and especially entertaining. Entertaining not because of a range of various events, but a bit further in Sunday Observer, for example, are the “Marriage Proposals” , a section of personal ads. Of course you won’t know the names of Sri Lankans printed here. But between the lines you can find a peace of traditional Sri Lankan society.
Who places these ads? Generally, it’s parents who want to find a partner for their daughters or sons, but sometimes other family members embark on the search: brothers, sisters aunts and grandmothers. In rare cases, where no family member is mentioned, you can assume that the marriage candidate has placed his/her ad. In such cases, the ad will look like this “ a 45-year-old unmarried Sinhalese Catholic, educated abroad, who would like to make acquaintance of an attractive, tall, simple, and home loving woman, not employed, from a good English-speaking family”.
But these are exceptions. Weddings are generally family affair. Such things are not simply left to two young people. All elements in pairing are essential. It is important whether it corresponds with education, place of residence, caste, economic standing, astrological sign and others ( every family has its own specific set of requirements).
So what people placing in such ads? Most of them mention their caste, place of residences (those are parents favorite – it may be important for them to keep their child close to them). The educational status, listings of possessions and money may also help to search in right direction. Regarding the future brides you can always read her height, age and often her astrological sign as well. Not much is said about her appearance; it’s far more important to mention her domesticity, education, diplomas, profession etc.
In cases of prospective bridegrooms the description is a little bit different. Appearance is obviously never mentioned. Frequent request for non-smokers and especially for teetotalers reflect – or mask the fact that Sri Lanka has the highest alcohol consumption in the world. As in many countries, doctor and engineer are the jobs of choice. And nearly every ad requests applicants to list their astrological signs.
Many of these ads seek brides for Sri Lankans who is living abroad (generally UK, US and Australia).
Although young people in Sri Lanka today don’t have any problem meeting and going out together, it’s extremely uncommon for anyone to appear in public as a couple. Only in dark corners of expansive parks or on the shore you may find people walking hand in hand. Love woes, and especially unwanted pregnancies are generally grounds for suicide.
Maybe that's why parents take responsibility for their kids, trying to find perfect match…