It's happened to 2 different employees where I work...each person is East Indian, 1 only working in Canada for 2 yrs. and other a young woman immigrated and living here for past 8 yrs.

They each suddenly were on vacation...and presto, they each announce they...are married. Now when that happens, the marriage is "arranged", ie. the couple never knew each other really well as 2 people in love.

Each of these individuals are well-educated folks, contemporary in dress and mannerisms...yet...their marriages were arranged.

The woman today said to me, that he and her were bonded together from birth. I suppose this meant, the intention was already set for them to marry in future, when they were children. She insisted to me that she knew everything about the family, since the families grew up together. Her new hubby is a nephew of her uncle's wife, etc., etc. Anyway, she now has to do immigration paperwork, to have him come over to Canada.

And yea, I forgot her family "gifted" for her wedding (dowry?) ...a house. Now real estate here is not cheap...

For reasons, I could not explain, I restrained myself from telling her that my mother was a picture bride..nearly 50 yrs. ago.