Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Of Arranged Marriages

Wanted , Fair(Read White), Slim, Beautiful, Homely, Convent Educated girl for Tall, Handsome, Educated, High Salary, High Status Family Boy.

Those are the keywords in any matrimonial advertisement. No matter how the guy looks, what he does, or how much he earns, the girl should have the above traits. Actually according to most indian sentimentalities, there are no ugly ducklings, fat, spoilt males. Irrespective of everything, they always are eligible bachelors.

I thought, probably times have changed and things are not the same. Until i came accross a WTF piece of news. Read for yourself - Want a celebrity lookalike as a partner. Seriously, WTF!!!

I was in for a shock, this is what matrimonial portals promote - Obsession with looks. But, then thats just what some men and the mothers of the men want.
I thought internet matrimonial portals are used mostly by the tech savvy,educated, liberated youth of India who think beyond the looks. One may wear Gucci boots, drive snazzy cars, listen to Bryan Adams and Mettalica, but on the inside not much of an evolution is there. But then what else can one expect, when even our Indian Gods are so obsessed with complexion. If not, Why else would Lord Krishna sing, 'Radha kyun gori mein kyun kaala??'. And, probably India is the only country with a market for creams like Fair and Lovely and the likes.

Here's a funny converation between a friend at work and a prospective groom.

***Some conversation before this***
Boy: Im 5 ft 6 inches tall and you are 5ft 5 1/2 inches tall. Is that okay with you?
Girl: No, actually i would prefer a slightly taller guy, so i guess we cant proceed. Sorry!
Boy: (With a heavy heart) Hmmm, but i guess it doesnt matter.
Girl: To me, it does. So, i guess. Thats about it. Good luck for your search.

(Background music - Dil ke armaan aansuoon mein beh gaye!! )
(The Boy still has something to say even after this)

Boy: Accha, I just wanted to tell you i have a jewellery shop in Karol Bagh, so when you shop for your wedding, you can walk into my shop. Will offer discounts.
Girl: (Speechlessly) Sure!! Bye
***End of Conversation***

I was in splits on hearing this!!! Classic Example of Product Bundling that i studied in marketing - Selling himself and the jewellery of his shop. Bussiness Promotion through a matrimonial portal. Cutting Edge! Indian minds arent that bad after all, we are an intelligent, innovative, jugaadoo lot.

We Indians are like that only - a little bit of this and that. Thats what makes us uniquely outrageous in a nice way. Incredible India!!

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