Things You will experience if you are marrying a Bengali
If you are marrying a Bengali, rest assured that you are signing up for a roller coaster ride of drama, entertainment and fun. Modern in outlook, but traditional at heart, Bengalis are passionate, artistic and a really entertaining community of people. The only catch is that you will never be their first love, as that spot will always be reserved for some good old Biryani!
So, if you are set to take the journey of your life with a Bengali, here are a few things you will definitely experience:
- No festival in the world compares to ‘Durga Pujo’
It is a fact universally known that the number of days left in Durga Puja are inversely proportional to the increase in the state of excitement of a true blue Bengali. Months of shopping and planning is still too less when it comes to the five days of Durga puja. The sound of the ‘dhaaks’, colour coordinated pujo outfits, staying out pandal hopping till 4 am, the sumptuous bhog and all the awesome street food is literally what every Bengali lives for.
2. Get used to endless debates and discussions
Giving ‘Adda’ is the national pastime of Bengalis. No topic is beyond the scope of discussion and debate for a bengali. They have opinions about everything in the universe, and if you happen to disagree with those opinions, you cannot simply walk away without debating with them over some ‘Cha.’
3. Food is BAE: before anyone, or anything else
Bengalis live to eat. Every occasion warrants good food, every outing warrants good food, every moment warrants good food. If your partner is not talking to you while eating, that is because they are already dreaming about their next meal while they are still eating this one. If you are not a foodie, you will be forcefully pushed over to the other side pretty soon, so brace yourselves.
4. They read stuff and know things
Having grown up on a steady diet of all kinds of books, magazines and periodicals, Bengalis are well read and full of mundane information. No, you cannot simply read, watch or make an observation about something without being told at least one fun fact about it which you weren’t aware of. You will have to just learn to deal with it.
5. Everything in your life will become much more dramatic
Drama is the middle name of every Bengali. They are intense, passionate and supremely dramatic people, so if you are marrying a bengali, get ready to experience life in cinemascope. Every movie, every cricket match, every political news will garner reactions of theatrical proportions. Popular culture references will be everywhere, from Tintin to Feluda to Bob Marley and Che Guevera, You will need to learn to at least pretend you know what they are talking about.For the bengali mind, nothing is ordinary, after all.
6. Get used to their bizarre pet names or ‘Daak naams’
For every beautiful, unique and difficult to pronounce Bengali name, there is an embarrassing pet name or ‘daak naam’ which pretty much every bengali spends their life hiding from their professional circle. Don’t be confused if your articulate, intelligent and super attractive partner is called ‘dodo’ or ‘budhiya’ at home. It is merely a sign of a normal, happy Bengali childhood.
7. You are marrying not a person but an Event
Marrying a Bengali would guarantee a one person cultural event for you everyday of your life. The average Bengali knows how to cook, how to sing, how to dance, how to paint in at least two different styles, and how to play at least three musical instruments. They are also often masters of strange unheard of talents like reciting songs backwards, in tune prolonged whistling or rhythmic eyebrow movements, so, well.
8. You will be a part of lots of interesting rituals
Bengali rituals are very colourful and entertaining. If you are married to one, not only will your wedding be super unique and fun, but all the pre wedding and post wedding rituals will also be one of their kind. From the ‘Ai budo bhaat’ which is the royal feast that the to be bride/groom enjoys on behalf of the family, to the super fun ‘Gaaye holud’ where not just the bride and the groom but the entire family plays holi with the traditional haldi, you will never be not entertained.
9. There will never be an occasion without gifts, a lot of them
Bengalis are fervent believers of ‘gift and get gifts’, a belief that is reflected in the tradition of the ‘Biyer Tatwa’ or wedding gifts. Gifts are considered to be marks of respect, acceptance and aesthetic sense in Bengali culture, and Bengalis take a lot of pride in their tradition of gift giving. If you are marrying in a Bengali family, You will never receive a boring gift for the rest of your life, and if you aren’t a good gifter, you seriously need to work on upping your game.
Previously Published on www.weddingwishlist.com
