Operation TQ

In less than a day's time, Eric Banana, accompanied by the elders in the Banana clan, will go to Astro Girl's house to propose marriage. Wait a minute, hasn't Eric Banana proposed to Astro Girl like a long time ago? Well, that was 求婚. This is 提亲. The essential difference is that 求婚 is the guy proposing to the gal and asking her to marry him while 提亲 is the guy going to the gal's house and formally asking her parents for her hand in marriage.

Actually, after Eric Banana proposed to Astro Girl last year, he did meet her parents over dinner where he was supposed to ask them for their consent to marry their daughter. Except that he did not really ask. For every yes/no question, the possibility of a "no" answer is 50 percent. "Uncle, Auntie, will you consent to our marriage?" What if the answer was a flat no? So, Eric Banana took the witty way out and informed them instead that Astro Girl and he were planning to get married in 2009. Smart right?

Hmmm, the inevitable is not called inevitable for no reason. It cannot be avoided. Eric Banana would now have to 提亲, during which Astro Girl's parents would tell his family what they want as part of the marriage. These "terms and conditions" usually follow the traditions and customs of the bride's dialect group.

The curious Eric Banana wonders if 提亲 constitutes an offer or an invitation to treat. Eric Banana could be offering to marry Astro Girl by going to her house and asking her parents for her hand in marriage. Acceptance will take place when her parents give their consent.

But it could be an invitation to treat. Astro Girl's parents make the offer when they state the "terms and conditions". The acceptance follows after Eric Banana goes to her house again, bearing gifts according to the "terms and conditions".

Okay, please wish him good luck. All he is going to bring is his cheque book :p

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