Essential Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes to an Arranged Marriage

Agnibeena Ghosh/23rd June  2024

Arranged marriages, a tradition in many cultures, can be successful when both parties ask the right questions before committing. It’s important to establish compatibility, values, and expectations early on. Here are 21 key questions to ask your potential partner to ensure a harmonious future together.

1. What are your long-term goals? Understanding each other’s life ambitions is crucial. Whether it’s career aspirations or personal dreams, aligning goals helps build a supportive relationship.
2. What are your views on family? Discussing family dynamics, including expectations around living arrangements and caregiving responsibilities, can prevent future conflicts.
3. How do you handle finances? Financial compatibility is vital. Discuss spending habits, savings, and debt to ensure you’re on the same page.
4. What are your religious beliefs? If religion plays a significant role in your life, it’s important to discuss how it will influence your marriage and future family.
5. What are your views on children? Clarifying your thoughts on having children, parenting styles, and educational priorities will help avoid misunderstandings.
6. How do you handle disagreements? Understanding how each other handles conflict is essential for a healthy relationship. Discuss strategies for resolving disagreements peacefully.
7. What are your hobbies and interests? Shared activities and interests can strengthen your bond. It’s also important to respect and support each other’s individual hobbies.
8. What is your social life like? Knowing your partner’s social habits, such as how they like to spend weekends or holidays, can help align your social expectations.
9. How do you prioritize work and personal life? Balancing work and personal life is crucial. Discuss how each of you plans to manage this balance.
10. What are your views on gender roles? Clarify expectations about household responsibilities, career ambitions, and traditional roles to ensure mutual respect and understanding.
11. How do you show love and affection? Understanding each other’s love languages—whether through words, actions, or gifts—can enhance your emotional connection.
12. What are your travel preferences? Discuss travel aspirations and preferences to ensure you can enjoy vacations and trips together.
13. How do you manage stress? Knowing how your partner copes with stress can help you provide support during challenging times.
14. What are your dietary preferences? Dietary habits can impact daily life. Ensure compatibility, especially if you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences.
15. What is your relationship with your extended family? Understanding the dynamics with in-laws and extended family is important for maintaining a harmonious family environment.
16. What are your career plans? Discussing career goals and potential relocations ensures you can support each other’s professional aspirations.
17. How do you handle household chores? Sharing responsibilities is key to a balanced relationship. Discuss how you’ll divide household chores.
18. What are your political views? Political alignment or respectful disagreement can impact your relationship, especially on important issues.
19. What are your expectations for personal space? Balancing time together and personal space is crucial. Discuss how you’ll manage time spent apart and together.
20. What are your thoughts on health and fitness? Shared health and fitness goals can foster mutual support and well-being.
21. How do you envision your future together? Discuss your hopes and dreams for your future as a couple. Aligning your visions can help build a strong foundation for your marriage.

Asking these questions before committing to an arranged marriage can help ensure that both partners share compatible values, goals, and expectations. This proactive approach can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling relationship, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and love. By addressing these critical aspects early on, you can build a solid foundation for your future together.