Worldwide mating rituals
Everyone all over the world gets it on, but how might it be different if you suddenly rocked up in Papua New Guinea or India? Hop on our virtual plane to find out.
As you read this, all around the world people are getting off with each other. So why do we do it? Apart from the obvious 'it feels nice'? Evolutionary psychologists reckon there's an instinctive desire in humans (like all animals) to continue the species. It might not feel like you're going out to get pregnant /get someone pregnant (in fact, we might be trying hard not to) but underneath this longing for a nice shag, is a stronger longing to see the human race carry on for another generation.
American psychologist David Buss reckons when it comes down to it we're pretty clear about what we're looking for in a mate: women look for a provider - blokes with power, good health and ambition, while men go for beautiful, fertile, and often young women to, ahem, 'continue the species' with.
How we differ
So basically, under the skin we're all the same. But just because we all do it like they do it on the Discovery Channel doesn't mean we don't build up to the big act in different ways. Different cultures can have very different mating rituals that can change over time.
- India: Traditionally, young Indians who were looking to hook up might have gone with their parents to a spouse-selection service. The 'matchmaker' would use astrology and the parents' feelings to come up with the right partner for the young person. Often protracted negotiations would then take place between both sets of parents. Interestingly, the internet is said to be replacing these matchmakers these days as young people look to matching sites to set them up.
- Puritanical America: For 17th Century Puritans a couple's compatibility was partly judged on whether or not they were able to get a good night's sleep together. To test this without putting the poor girl's innocence in danger, a board was placed in the bed between the couple. If they managed to sleep well next to each other, despite this bloody great wedge of timber between them, it was seen as a good sign.
- Thailand: Members of the Hmong tribe in Thailand do it this way. When a bloke is interested in a woman, he approaches her and tugs at a piece of string at their waist. They then wander off together for a chat and at a later point the man "kidnaps" the girl from her parents' house.
- Papua New Guinea: Some of the highland tribes of Papua New Guinea have their own take on courting. The couple in question dress up in traditional ceremonial outfits and meet in the ceremonial grounds. They sit next to each other and talk, and sometimes rub their faces together.
- Hollywood: According to Salon magazine, A-list celebs have their own mating rituals that take a different tack to those of you and me, involving proclamations of love, impulsive engagements and clandestine wedding preparations, all heavily covered by the gossip rags. Apparently Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas went through a "nine-month sacred love dance" before hitching up. Not something we would recommend on TheSite.
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