Proposal/dating. Western culture gets down on one knee, and maybe speaks to the father beforehand. Maybe does something romantic, sings to her, the ring is inside of the cupcake...we all know how this goes down.
Middle Eastern culture is interesting. The man may be interested (from afar because dating isn't a thing). He tells his mother he's found the one. They discuss about the importance of being sure...is he ready?...how is her family?..etc. Then--the mother seeks to finds out for herself.
I'm blessed to be directly correlated into the culture and have these simple, but embracing experiences. Someone was interested in marrying Abbouds' sister. His mother contacted her mother and requested a meeting. This is what happens. They meet the family (women only) and discuss everything...how is her personality? How does she upkeep the household? Is she responsible? Smart? Determined?
Since his mother is sick, and his sister doesn't have any clue how to even work a stove--I did the cooking. We can't order food for an event like this! That would send a bad message like we-didn't-have-time or I-can't-take-care-of-your-son. Side note: Thanks mom! The cheeseball was a hit!
If this meeting is a success...the men all meet. Father's, brothers, etc. Of course, I have no idea what happens here. But this is the opportunity for the father to decide if this could be his future son-in-law.
Again, if the mother-in-law-to-be likes the girl, and the father-in-law-to-be likes the boy...then they may date. This isn't just dating though. This is dating with a serious intention of getting married. It's usually brief, and never anything alone in private. Maybe they go on group-dates. Maybe a short evening out together, but no late night meetings.
After they have done this for a month or two. The proposal happens. The man will bring all of his friends, brothers, cousins, uncles, his father, and grandfather. Every man he knows. They take a trip to the girls house and he proposes at the door. Requesting from his future-father-in-law to marry his daughter. And she gets to approve or deny the proposal.
Abbouds sister and this boy decided against continuing a relationship, I'm sure we're all curious of that. Also, abbouds family is more open than this. They aren't as traditional, so this was a special treat for them as well. They allow their children to date...they just request knowledge of it. Obviously they're open--they allowed their eldest son to marry a Slovakian and second oldest to marry an American. HAHA.
Middle Eastern culture is interesting. The man may be interested (from afar because dating isn't a thing). He tells his mother he's found the one. They discuss about the importance of being sure...is he ready?...how is her family?..etc. Then--the mother seeks to finds out for herself.
I'm blessed to be directly correlated into the culture and have these simple, but embracing experiences. Someone was interested in marrying Abbouds' sister. His mother contacted her mother and requested a meeting. This is what happens. They meet the family (women only) and discuss everything...how is her personality? How does she upkeep the household? Is she responsible? Smart? Determined?
Since his mother is sick, and his sister doesn't have any clue how to even work a stove--I did the cooking. We can't order food for an event like this! That would send a bad message like we-didn't-have-time or I-can't-take-care-of-your-son. Side note: Thanks mom! The cheeseball was a hit!
If this meeting is a success...the men all meet. Father's, brothers, etc. Of course, I have no idea what happens here. But this is the opportunity for the father to decide if this could be his future son-in-law.
Again, if the mother-in-law-to-be likes the girl, and the father-in-law-to-be likes the boy...then they may date. This isn't just dating though. This is dating with a serious intention of getting married. It's usually brief, and never anything alone in private. Maybe they go on group-dates. Maybe a short evening out together, but no late night meetings.
After they have done this for a month or two. The proposal happens. The man will bring all of his friends, brothers, cousins, uncles, his father, and grandfather. Every man he knows. They take a trip to the girls house and he proposes at the door. Requesting from his future-father-in-law to marry his daughter. And she gets to approve or deny the proposal.
Abbouds sister and this boy decided against continuing a relationship, I'm sure we're all curious of that. Also, abbouds family is more open than this. They aren't as traditional, so this was a special treat for them as well. They allow their children to date...they just request knowledge of it. Obviously they're open--they allowed their eldest son to marry a Slovakian and second oldest to marry an American. HAHA.
