What to do? Everywhere teens like to do the same things- go to movies (Titanic was almost as popular in Japan as the US); eat fast food (The Golden Arches stretch all over); and listen to rock.
Group Dates. In countries like Kenya, South Korea, and Jamaica dating usually involves going out in groups.
Age & Dating. In London and France teens start dating as young as 12 or 13. In Sweden the age is around 15. A Jamaican teen usually waits until 16 or 17 before pairing off.
Getting Around. For U.S. teens, driving is easier and cheaper than in other countries. The driving age in many other countries is 18. In Korea the driving age is 20. In China they rarely drive. So how do teens get around on dates? In France they walk a lot. In London they take the tube (subway). In Sweden they get a ride from their parents or older sibling.
No Dating Allowed. In some countries, especially where arranged marriages are common, teenage girls aren't allowed to date. In a few cultures, teenage boys' first experience with a woman often involves a prostitute!
World -Wide Weddings
Most adults around the world get married. Who, when, and how people get married has a lot to do with background and culture.
In some countries (India, Iran and to some extent Japan) they have arranged marriages- women marry men they've never met, sometimes when they're very young. But it's rare now that the couple never meets at all.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker. Traditionally in China a "go-between" (the person who makes the deal) does a lot of negotiation to reach an acceptable financial arrangement between the families. Then the families meet and after that the bride gets to "meet" her husband! This agreement gives the bride to the whole family- not just to the groom.
Today in Japan if a woman is part of an arranged marriage the family still uses a "go-between," and the process is like selling a car. The family puts together information on the potential bride and the go-between shows it to potential grooms. If both people are interested they meet.
When All Else Fails- Love. Most women, especially in the U.S. and Europe, marry someone they love when they're a little older. This is mainly because today women's careers and financial independence have become more important. Even so a lot of women still bow to cultural traditions for their weddings.
World-wide Wedding Traditions:
- Breaking the Glass. At the end of a Jewish ceremony the groom breaks a glass with his foot. The breaking symbolizes the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the fragility of life.
- 1,001 Cranes. Hawaiian brides fold 1,001 origami paper cranes before the wedding. The crane symbolizes fortune, longevity, happiness, fidelity and peace. The bride's folding the cranes represents her patience and determination-no kidding!
- The wedding dress. Until the 1900s, women didn't buy a new dress; they just wore their best outfit. Queen Victoria started the tradition by wearing white. In China the bride wears red-- a symbol of good luck. Hindu brides drape themselves in jewelry. If the bride doesn't have enough, the family rents more.
- Smashing good time. Polterabend is a German tradition where, at a large get together, guests bring old dishes to smash. The smaller the pieces of porcelain and china the more luck for the couple.
- The wedding cake. Originally the wedding cake was lots of little wheat cakes broken over the bride's head for luck and fertility- no ice cream involved, thank goodness.
- Wedding bands. The earliest rings were made of braided grasses, leather, bone, ivory, and lumpy bits of metal. Through the ages every finger including the thumb-in the 17th century- has been used for the ring finger. Men rarely wore wedding rings until after World War II. Orthodox Jews believe wedding rings should be plain so that jewels or stones don't get in the way of the circle of life and happiness.
- Engagement rings. The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477.
Info from BeingGirl.com
