Women Affairs

There are two stages to a Persian marriage. Most often both take place on the same day, but occasionally there could be some time between the two. The first is called "Aghd" , the legal process of getting married, when both the bride and bridegroom and their guardians sign a marriage contract. The second stage is "Jashn-e Aroosi", the wedding reception - the actual feasts and the celebrations, which traditionally lasted from 3 to 7 days. The ceremony takes place in a specially decorated room with flowers and a beautiful and elaborately decorated spread on the floor called "Sofreh-ye Aghd". Traditionally Sofreh-ye Aghd is set on the floor facing east, the direction of sunrise (light). Consequently when bride and bridegroom are seated at the head of Sofreh-ye Aghd they will be facing "The Light". By custom Aghd would normally take place at bride's parents/guardians home. The arrival of the guests, who are to be witnesses to the marriage of the ...

Changing attitudes about love and marriage in rich Asian countries such as Taiwan, Japan and South Korea are pushing many desperate bachelors to seek out brides in other, poorer nations around the region. Many Asian men, particularly those in rural areas, tend to seek traditional wives who will stay home, doing chores and raising children, says Mika Toyota, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Asia Research Institute, and other experts who study the region. An economic boom in recent decades means women have options their mothers didn't. Better educated, they can have careers - and opt to stay single until Prince Charming shows up, if he ever does. "Most Japanese women would prefer to live and work in the city," says Jeff Kingston, author of Japan's Quiet Transformation. "A guy out there in the boonies . has a tough job selling the wonders of being a farmer's wife." Instead, the men increasingly seek women from countries such a...

Your wife, girlfriend or mistress said that you are boring in bed. She says that it's the same thing every time you two are together and that nothing ever changes. What do you do to spice things up for her and you too? Being boring or great in bed is in the loin of the beholder. And married sex can, in fact, become same time, same place, same everything. It often does. The problem with sex in a long-term relationship is that, quite often, couples keep on going with what worked before. We have compared this in the past to a dance routine executed in the same way over and over again. Once it was exhilarating, now it's just old and, yes, boring. You ask us what you can do to "spice things up." A good question. You've probably already heard all the aphorisms, like do it in any room in the house except the bedroom. Great, except if you live in a studio apartment in Manhattan. Or take a bubble bath together. Fine, but that idea gets old, too, and then a steamy bath stop...

In life and love, you may think you're supposed to always focus on the positive instead of the negative. However, unless you become aware of your own hurtful attitudes or actions -- so that you can correct them -- your chances of staying in love 'til death do you part are close to zero. To have your marriage last a lifetime, avoid these 10 common mistakes: 1. Talking "at" instead of "with" your mate. Let his or her body language be your guide. When you're talking "at" your partner, he or she will tense up. When you're talking "with" your spouse, he or she will relax. 2. Tuning out -- instead of tuning in -- to what your mate is saying. When you mind begins to wander, stop and remember that what your partner is saying is important to him or her. 3. Forgetting to thank your mate. Not thanking your spouse for being considerate, thoughtful or kind makes him or her feel unappreciated and foolish for caring about you. 4. Getting defensi...