Why You Can't Speak Bitterly At An Armenian Wedding

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Why can't you say "Bitter!" at the Armenian wedding

To participate in an Armenian wedding without any unpleasant surprises, you should familiarize yourself with the traditions and some prohibitions of this people in advance. One of the rules concerns the exclamation “Bitter!”, Which is familiar to the Slavs, after which the newlyweds must kiss. It doesn't hurt to find out why you can't say "Bitter" at an Armenian wedding.

The reasons for the ban on "Bitter!"

The ban on shouting "Bitter!" pretty simple. According to Armenian traditions, young people should not have an intimate relationship before the wedding. They can't even kiss. And to demonstrate such closeness in front of strangers is completely the height of indecency.

The most that the bride and groom can afford is a modest kiss on the cheek. Everything else - only after the end of the feast and the solitude of the young. Of course, times change. Young people are increasingly ignoring old prohibitions. But if traditions are respected in the family, and old people are present at the table, it is better to refrain from such shouts.

How can you replace the usual "Bitter!"

At an Armenian wedding, it is customary to say a good toast (eloquence and originality are very much appreciated here), and end it with a shout “tash-tush”. Options: "tash-tash" or "tashi-tushi". It is difficult to translate this phrase. This exclamation symbolizes joy. So the guest demonstrates that he is happy to be at the table, to see the groom, the bride and other present.

If the foreigner shouts “Bitter!”, The reserved Armenians will try not to create a scandal. The groom can simply kiss the bride on the cheek, or he can simply pretend that he has not heard anything. But other people's traditions should be respected.

If a person is invited to an Armenian wedding, and he is poorly versed in the traditions of this people, it is worth asking a knowledgeable person, or at least familiarizing yourself with information on the Internet. Mutual respect is the key to the holiday, which everyone will remember only from the positive side.