With his heart his mouth, the young man faces the proud father. He declares his love for the cherished daughter and ask for the cherished daughter and ask for 'her hand in marriage'.
The father satisfies himself that the young man will be able to keep his daughter 'in the manner to which she is accustomed'; and then gives his consent. The couple are engaded.
Plays and novels have immortalised this ritual over and over again. In the best stories the proud father refuses his consent and the lovers elope - with dramatic consequences.
But in 1969 the law spoilt everything. The age of constent was reduced to 18. All over the country love-sick daughters stopped pleading and nervous young men relaxed. The tension and drama vanished.
'Getting angaged' has never recoreved. Girls still wear engagement rings on the left hand (men don't, for some reason). Anouncements still appear n the newspapers. But it's not like the good old days.
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