Miai

Omiai (Japaneseお 見合い, dt " looking at each other " ) or Miai (見合い, the "O " is a Honorativpräfix ) is the Japanese tradition of marriage brokering and their implementation. As it always happens at the initiative or at least with the consent of the future spouses, one can not speak of a forced marriage. In many cases there are several Omiai before it comes to a marriage.

Especially in rural Japan are unmarried women who are older than 25 years, and men who reach out to 30, subject to a strong social pressure, a Omiai to at least try. Above all, the parents are pushing this so-called " stranded Christmas cake " ( who wants to have more after 25 no ) to get to an early choice of partner was still alive grandchildren. Even taking into account this desire agree some young Japanese to a Omiai.

Development

Omiai incurred when the idea developed during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century in Japan that love should play a role in the choice of a spouse. Previously arranged by the head of the family marriages were common.

Expiration

A Omiai is organized by an intermediary - usually an older woman who runs this semi-professional. Interested candidates submit a short profile (age, occupation, hobbies, a photo) and a selection of profiles of potential partners. Case of mutual interest, the actual Omiai takes place, usually a dinner in a hotel or restaurant, their parents and the mediator are present at the next candidate.

Thereafter, if there is no interest in a closer acquaintance, this should be communicated to the agent immediately. Such a rejection does not constitute an affront, but must be formulated polite as possible. Otherwise, a first meeting of the partners will be arranged unaccompanied, enter the so relatively normal partnership relationship. Traditionally, it is expected that by the beginning of the actual marriage preparations at least half a year to wait. During this time, the relationship will still be terminated if it is found that the partners but do not match.

A Omiai can be performed instead by an intermediary by the parents themselves, through friends or superiors in the company.