Cross Cultural Dating and Marriage - An Asian-Western Perspective
In the light of globalization, cross-cultural marriages are becoming a norm nowadays.
In an Asian country, younger girls would envy their peers who married a westerner, while the older generation would scorn at the entire idea as it fundamentally indicates that one is ashamed of his/her own race.
Marrying someone of a difference culture certainly has its challenges.
Let's start with the dating stage.
Whilst Asians still try to hold on the chastity concept, the westerners on the facade appears to be but co-habitation prior to marriage is not uncommon.
Be prepared for such request which you will agree but your elders will gossip behind you.
In short, when dating a foreigner, be prepared for unwanted gossips.
Then the wedding stage comes along.
A western and an Asian concept of 'wedding' is world apart! Legally, Asians get registered and take one year to plan that big wedding which lead to the confusion - when is your wedding date? The day you get registered or the day you hold the big ceremony? In the western culture, the wedding day is the day the priest/pastor signs your wedding certificate.
From a monetary perspective, the bride actually pays for the wedding which is opposite from the Asian culture.
As for the big ceremony day, a guest of 100 people is considered a lavish extravagant wedding in the western culture but in the Asian culture, 100 people are considered a small scale wedding.
A simple bridal dress is all needed for a western wedding with bridal photos taken on the day of the wedding.
The Asian culture with the numerous wedding dresses and evening gowns, pre-wedding studio shots is all strange to a westerner.
Of late, especially in Singapore and Malaysia, there are even pre-wedding photos and wedding photos! In summary, a wedding celebration in the western culture is a celebration of moment whilst in the Asian culture; it is an announcement to the world.
From a cultural point, there are definitely differences which both party need to adapt to.
For instance if the couple moved to live in a western country, the Asian partner would need to adapt to the western lifestyle in terms of food, lifestyle, expectations vice versa if the couple chose to live in an Asian country.
Needless to say, childbirth and upbringing of a child is different culturally.
Asians put a lot of emphasis in confinement and dos and don't s after childbirth but no such practice in the western culture.
Asians tend to be protective over their little one and bed sharing is not uncommon but the western practice is to let the baby be independent from day one.
There is no culture that is better than the other.
The merge of both culture has its benefits.
For one, Asians lack affection and praise.
We could do more with praising each other and be more affectionate in our daily contact with our loved ones.
The western culture could also emulate the Asians in terms discipline and filial piety.
I am not encouraging all young girls out there to marry a foreigner because it is definitely a challenge and it is not a bed of roses as one might think.
If it is your fate to marry one, then take the challenge but if it is not your fate, please do not go searching for one.
In an Asian country, younger girls would envy their peers who married a westerner, while the older generation would scorn at the entire idea as it fundamentally indicates that one is ashamed of his/her own race.
Marrying someone of a difference culture certainly has its challenges.
Let's start with the dating stage.
Whilst Asians still try to hold on the chastity concept, the westerners on the facade appears to be but co-habitation prior to marriage is not uncommon.
Be prepared for such request which you will agree but your elders will gossip behind you.
In short, when dating a foreigner, be prepared for unwanted gossips.
Then the wedding stage comes along.
A western and an Asian concept of 'wedding' is world apart! Legally, Asians get registered and take one year to plan that big wedding which lead to the confusion - when is your wedding date? The day you get registered or the day you hold the big ceremony? In the western culture, the wedding day is the day the priest/pastor signs your wedding certificate.
From a monetary perspective, the bride actually pays for the wedding which is opposite from the Asian culture.
As for the big ceremony day, a guest of 100 people is considered a lavish extravagant wedding in the western culture but in the Asian culture, 100 people are considered a small scale wedding.
A simple bridal dress is all needed for a western wedding with bridal photos taken on the day of the wedding.
The Asian culture with the numerous wedding dresses and evening gowns, pre-wedding studio shots is all strange to a westerner.
Of late, especially in Singapore and Malaysia, there are even pre-wedding photos and wedding photos! In summary, a wedding celebration in the western culture is a celebration of moment whilst in the Asian culture; it is an announcement to the world.
From a cultural point, there are definitely differences which both party need to adapt to.
For instance if the couple moved to live in a western country, the Asian partner would need to adapt to the western lifestyle in terms of food, lifestyle, expectations vice versa if the couple chose to live in an Asian country.
Needless to say, childbirth and upbringing of a child is different culturally.
Asians put a lot of emphasis in confinement and dos and don't s after childbirth but no such practice in the western culture.
Asians tend to be protective over their little one and bed sharing is not uncommon but the western practice is to let the baby be independent from day one.
There is no culture that is better than the other.
The merge of both culture has its benefits.
For one, Asians lack affection and praise.
We could do more with praising each other and be more affectionate in our daily contact with our loved ones.
The western culture could also emulate the Asians in terms discipline and filial piety.
I am not encouraging all young girls out there to marry a foreigner because it is definitely a challenge and it is not a bed of roses as one might think.
If it is your fate to marry one, then take the challenge but if it is not your fate, please do not go searching for one.
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