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WHEN COOKING SOMETHING IN A WELL GREASED PAN, AND SINGLE; IF YOU
HAVE TO SCRAPE THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN YOU WILL NOT MARRY FOR
AT LEAST A YEAR.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER A NATIVE YUGOSLAVIAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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IF A MALE OR FEMALE IS FOUND NOT TO BE A VIRGIN BEFORE MARRIAGE,
HE OR SHE BECOMES AN OUTCAST OF SOCIETY, NEVER TO MARRY.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM OF INDIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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AT A POLISH WEDDING, THE BRIDE AND GROOM
ARE GREETED AT THE DOOR OF THE RECEPTION
BY THE COOK WHO OFFERS THEM SOME BREAD AND
SALT. THE SALT REPRESENTS FOOD FROM
THE EARTH, AND THE BREAD REPRESENTS FOOD
FROM GOD.

Submitter comment: THIS TRADITION IS ALSO OFTEN FOLLOWED WHEN
A VISITOR ARRIVES AT A POLISH PERSON'S HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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AT THE END OF A POLISH WEDDING, THE
BRIDE SITS ON THE GROOM'S LAP IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE DANCE FLOOR AND ALL THE
GUESTS FORM A CIRCLE AROUND THEM AND
SING SONGS, SUCH AS LET ME CALL YOU
SWEETHEART AND THE TWELVE ANGELS.
WHEN THE SINGING IS DONE AND THE BRIDE
AND GROOM DANCE AWAY, EVERYONE LOOKS
UNDER THE CHAIR AND LAUGH BECAUSE SOMEONE
HAS POURED SOME BEER ON THE FLOOR AND
THE GROOM BECOMES EMBARRASSED BECAUSE
IT LOOKS LIKE HE WENT TO THE BATHROOM
BECAUSE HE GOT TOO EXCITED.

Submitter comment: THIS PRANK IS USUALLY PULLED BY ONE OF
THE MEN AND EVERYONE THINKS IT'S FUNNY
BECAUSE THEY'VE ALL HAD TOO MUCH TO
DRINK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 04-20-1968

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DURING THE BRIDAL DANCE AT THE END OF
A POLISH WEDDING, THE BRIDE DANCES WITH
THE GROOM FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN THE
FIRST COUPLE COMES TO DANCE,
BUT THE MAID-OF-HONOR (IF SHE
IS SINGLE) REMOVES THE BRIDE'S VEIL FROM
THE BRIDE AND PUTS IT ON HER HEAD. SHE
PUTS HER BRIDESMAID'S HAT ON THE BRIDE'S
HEAD. EACH OF THE COUPLES, ONE AT A TIME,
CONTINUE TO JOIN IN THE DANCE AND EACH
TIME THE NEXT BRIDESMAID EXCHANGES HER
HAT WITH THE PERSON WEARING THE VEIL, IF
SHE IS SINGLE.

Submitter comment: THIS TRADITION SIGNIFIES THAT THE BRIDE
IS NO LONGER A BRIDE, SHE IS NOW A MARRIED
WOMAN. THAT IS WHY ONLY THE SINGLE BRIDESMAIDS
ARE ALLOWED TO DANCE WITH THE VEIL.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Head

Date learned: 04-20-1968

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THE DAY AFTER A POLISH WEDDING, THE
BRIDE AND GROOM WOULD GO OVER TO THE
BRIDE'S FAMILY HOME FOR DINNER (USUALLY
THE LEFTOVER FOOD FROM THE WEDDING
RECEPTION). THIS IS CALLED PROPEVENIA.
WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVES, THE BRIDE'S FATHER
MEETS THEM AT THE DOOR WITH A TOWEL OVER HIS
HAND. HE DID THIS BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT
TO SHAKE HIS SON-IN-LAW'S HAND WITHOUT
WIPING HIS HAND FIRST BECAUSE THE GROOM HAD BEEN
"TOUCHING" HIS DAUGHTER DURING THE NIGHT.

Submitter comment: MY FATHER-IN-LAW TELLS ME THAT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW
WAS VERY EMBARRASSED AND ANGRY WHEN HER FATHER
DID THIS TO THEM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

WHILE DATING IN HIGH SCHOOL, IT WAS
SAID THAT YOU COULD GO TO BELLE ISLE
TO "WATCH THE SUBMARINE RACES," WHICH
WAS ACTUALLY AN EXCUSE TO GO PARKING
AND KISS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; DATE ; DATING ; EUPHEMISM ; INTERCOURSE ; PARKING ; Relationship ; SEX ; Submarine ; Teenager

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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IN LATIN COUNTRIES IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR A MAN TO SERENADE
THE WOMAN HE LOVES. IN ANGONE, A TOWN IN THE REGION OF
MOLISE, ITALY, A MAN WILL GATHER SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AND/OR
HIRE SOME MUSICIANS AND SERENADE HIS FIANCE THE NIGHT
BEFORE THE WEDDING. THIS TAKES PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY
9:00 P.M. WHEN THE MEN COME TO SERENADE, THEY BRING A
LADDER,WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED SINGING, THE PARENTS OF
THE BRIDE INVITE THE GROOM AND HIS PARTY TO COME IN FOR REFRESHMENTS. THEY MUST THEN CLIMB THE LADDER IN TO THE
GIRLS BEDROOM. THIS IS A CUSTOM OF WELCOMING THE GROOM TO
THE FAMILY. IN METROPOLITAN AREAS WHERE THE BRIDE MAY LIVE
IN A HIGH RISE APARTMENT, SOME GROOMS HAVE BORROWED FIRE
TRUCKS WITH LADDERS TO CLIMB INTO THE GIRL'S ROOM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM WHEN VISITING ITALY.

Where learned: ITALY ; AGNONE ; MOLISE

Keyword(s): SERENADING ; SINGING ; WEDDING CUSTOMS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00001980S

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A CUSTOM PERFORMED AT WEDDINGS IN NAPLES, ITALY, IS
PERFORMED AT THE RECEPTION. THE BEST MAN TAKES THE
GROOM'S TIE AND CUTS IT INTO MANY TINY PIECES. HE THEN SELLS
THE PIECES TO THE GUESTS AT THE WEDDING. HE THEN GIVES ALL
THE MONEY TO THE GROOM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CUSTOM HELPS THE NEWLYWEDS SET
UP HOUSEKEEPING. SHE ALSO SAID THAT MONEY IS USUALLY GIVEN
RATHER THAN A MATERIAL GIFT. IF THE BRIDE OR GROOM'S FAMILY
ARE WELL TO DO, THEY MAY EVEN GIFT THE COUPLE WITH A FLAT
OR AN APARTMENT.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Keyword(s): MONEY ; WEDDING CUSTOM

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00001980S

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MARRIAGE CEREMONIES ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN PAKISTAN THAN
IN THE UNITED STATES. THE BRIDES DO NOT WEAR A WHITE DRESS
AS WHITE IS A SAD COLOR. THE BRIDES WEAR A DRESS THAT IS
IN THE RED FAMILY, EITHER RED, MAROON, PINK OR BURGUNDY ETC.
RED IS CONSIDERED A FESTIVE COLOR AND THE BRIDE REALLY
STICKS OUT IN THE CROWD. ALSO, THE BRIDAL OUTFIT IS MADE
FOR THE BRIDE BY BOTH HER PARENTS AND THE GROOM'S PARENTS.
IT IS STRICTLY HERS, NO ONE ELSE WILL EVER WEAR IT, UNLIKE IN
THE U.S. A GIRL MAY WEAR HER MOTHER'S DRESS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES AND HIS COUNTRY OF PAKISTAN.

Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 11-00-1987

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IN PAKISTAN MANY MARRIAGES ARE ARRANGED BY THE PARENTS
OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM. USUALLY THE MOTHER PICKS A BRIDE
FOR HER SON, AFTER ALL, WHO WOULD KNOW HER SON BETTER THAN
HIS MOTHER. THE MOTHER LOOKS FOR A GIRL WHO IS OF THE SAME
RELIGION. OTHER QUALITIES THAT ARE CONSIDERED DESIRABLE
ARE: A QUIET GIRL, THE QUIETER THE BETTER, LIGHT SKIN IS
PREFERRED OVER DARK AND THE LONGER THE HAIR, THE MORE
BEAUTIFUL. IN SOME SITUATIONS A DOWRY MAY BE INVOLVED.
THE CONTENTS OF THE DOWRY MAY BE MONEY, A HOUSE OR
APARTMENT, OR IN THE FARMING CLASSES, IT MAY INCLUDE
ANIMALS. IN THE HIGHER CLASSES, EDUCATION IS VALUABLE
AND MAY BE CONSIDERED AS DOWRY.

Submitter comment: KHALID WAS TALKING ABOUT HIS MARRIAGE AND THAT OF HIS
BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WE WERE DISCUSSING THE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN MARRIAGE IN THE U.S. AND IN PAKISTAN.

Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-00-1987

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THE MARRIAGE CELEBRATION IN PAKISTAN AMONG THE MOSLEMS IS
VERY DIFFERENT THAN IN THE U.S. THE COUPLE MAY NEVER HAVE
MET BEFORE. THE CEREMONY IS HELD AT THE BRIDE'S FAMILY
HOME. THE WHOLE FAMILY PREPARES THE HOUSE FOR ALL THE
GUESTS. WHEN THE CEREMONY OCCURS THE BRIDE IS IN ONE ROOM
WITH HER PARENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE GROOM IS IN
ANOTHER ROOM WITH HIS PARENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ALSO A
PRIEST IS THERE. THERE ARE NO BRIDESMAIDS OR OTHER
ATTENDANTS. THERE IS AN EXCHANGE OF RINGS BUT THERE IS
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT ABOUT EXCHANGING THEM. THE PRIEST JUST
TAKES THE BRIDE'S RING TO HER IN THE OTHER ROOM, AND GIVES
THE GROOM HIS RING. THE WHOLE PROCESS TAKES A FEW HOURS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAYS IT IS VERY STRANGE COMPARED TO A U.S.
WEDDING. HE SAYS MANY TIMES IT IS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE
FOR BOTH THE BRIDE AND GROOM, BUT MOSTLY FOR THE BRIDE
BECAUSE SHE HAS NEVER HAD ANY SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL OR INTIMATE
CONTACT WITH A MAN BEFORE.

Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN

Keyword(s): CEREMONY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-00-1987

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AFTER A MOSLEM PAKISTANI COUPLE GET MARRIED, THE
MOTHER OF THE GROOM, TAKES THE BRIDE ASIDE AND GIVES
HER THE MOSLEM "BIBLE," THE KORAN. THE BRIDE MUST
THEN READ FROM THE BOOK TO PROVE THAT SHE WAS
EDUCATED IN THE RELIGION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS COMMON PRACTICE. THE BRIDE
WOULD HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO READ ARABIC IN ORDER TO
READ THE KORAN, IT PROVES SHE IS EDUCATED AND
UNDERSTANDS THE FAITH.

Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN

Keyword(s): RELIGION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-00-1987

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AT A POLISH WEDDING, BREAD AND SALT ARE GIVEN TO THE BRIDE AND
GROOM AS SIGNS OF STABILITY AND FERTILITY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 10-10-1987

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EVERY YEAR ON EASTER MONDAY, WHEN I WAS YOUNG, MY FRIENDS
AND I WOULD PREPARE LUNCH FOR THE YOUNG BOYS
THAT WE KNEW. WE WOULD SPRINKLE THE LIVING ROOM AREA WITH
COLOGNE AND DRESS IN OUR SUNDAY BEST. A BOY WOULD COME TO
YOUR HOUSE FOR A PRIVATE LUNCHEON. THIS WAS A GET
ACQUAINTED PERIOD FOR THE GIRL AND BOY. IT WAS USED AS
A FORM OF COURTSHIP. IT WAS SAID THAT IF YOU WERE TO BE
COURTED BY THE MAN YOU WERE TO MARRY ON EASTER MONDAY,
YOUR MARRIAGE WOULD BE SO MUCH MORE BLESSED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE HAD A HUGE SEWER PIPE
ON THE PLAYGROUND THAT WAS PAINTED RED. WE HAD A CUSTOM
THAT IF YOU WANTED TO GO WITH A GIRL YOU HAD TO WALK THROUGH
THE PIPE WITH THE GIRL WHILE HOLDING HANDS. SOMETIMES THE
TWO PARTICIPANTS EVEN KISSED UPON EXITING BUT THIS WAS
PRETTY RARE. TO BREAK UP WITH THE GIRL YOU HAD TO WALK
BACKWARDS THROUGH THE PIPE ONE AT A TIME, WITH THE BOY
NORMALLY GOING THROUGH FIRST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 01-01-1976

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Balinese Custom

One week after the wedding the groom brings pastries
to the bride's parent's home, a sign of acceptance.

Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert

Date learned: 00-00-1990

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It is customary in my family when someone gets married to give
the bride the following: something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 01-00-1980

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In order to find out if we were compatible with another
person, usually a boy we liked, we used to do a test.
First you write down the name of the person you like
and your name on paper. Then under both names you draw
a line across. Under the line you write the numbers one
through five. Then under the number one you write the
number of A's in the names, under the number two you
write the number of E's and so on with I, O, and U.
Then you add the numbers and the more times you have
the same numbers next to each other the more compatible
you are.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00-00-1982

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Wedding Custom

All females must wear white; that includes the bride.
Bride has to wear veil to cover her whole face.

Where learned: ITALY ; SICILY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00001984CA

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