Unofficial rules regarding relationships and being married can be confusing, especially for couples who aren’t familiar with them.
Unfortunately, there is no book of rules regarding relationships and marriage, so how is a couple supposed to follow these rules if they’re not aware of them?
There is one rule regarding whether a woman should sit on the left or right of her husband, but many couples have no idea which side that is.
According to tradition, a woman is supposed to sit on her husband’s left side because his right arm was considered his “sword arm.”
Should a dangerous situation arise, necessitating the husband to use his sword in order to protect his wife, she should always be on his left side since most men were right-handed.
Obviously, there is no chance of a sword fight in modern-day America, but some people still believe that it’s customary for a wife to stand on her husband’s left side during certain ceremonies.
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Are there modern reasons why a woman should sit on her husband’s left side?
Many people feel it’s common etiquette for a woman to sit on her husband’s left side, as it’s his left arm that he would use to escort her to the dance floor or wherever else.
However, many couples sit wherever they want with no regard to this often-unknown rule, which is fine.
As long as the husband and wife are fine sitting on either side of each other, then no one should feel disrespected or as if they’re disobeying an important rule.
Are women still expected to “obey” their husbands?
Even though the term “love and obey” is no longer included in modern-day wedding vows, some husbands with a more old-fashioned way of thinking may believe that their wives should “obey” them.
However, most modern couples view each other as equals and neither the wife nor the husband is expected to “obey” their spouse.
All couples are different, however, and if a modern wife agrees to allow her husband to control the marriage, then that is their arrangement and no one else has to be involved or agree with it.
Should a husband hold the door open for his wife and pull out her seat?
While it’s not a requirement, it’s certainly very respectful and sweet for a husband to hold the door open for his wife and pull out her seat at a restaurant.
Many husbands do perform these actions for their wives, but many men stop doing such things once they get married because they no longer need to “impress” their significant others.
However, this is the new millennium, so many women don’t even expect their husbands to do these things for them. But, if the husbands do, then it is very likely appreciated by the woman.
Are there any customs from medieval times that married couples still practice?
One custom that has always been practiced at weddings and probably always will be is the fact that the official ceremony is typically followed by a large meal and celebrations.
Even though the wedding reception was referred to as a “feast” during medieval times, the reception after most weddings can still be considered a feast.
There was music and dancing during medieval wedding receptions, just like during modern times.
Is the husband automatically the head of the household because he’s the man?
Years ago, the husband was automatically considered the head of the household because he was not only the husband, but he was also likely the breadwinner.
However, things have changed significantly since those times, and more and more women are the breadwinners of the household while increasing numbers of husbands are choosing to be stay-at-home dads.
So, no, a man isn’t automatically considered the head of a household, although many wives don’t mind if their husbands claim that role.
Can a man take his wife’s last name instead of the wife taking his?
Even though it’s a tradition that a woman takes her husband’s last name, times have changed since then, and a husband could legally change his last name to his wife’s.
However, there aren’t many married couples in which the husband takes his wife’s last name, and most women are proud to change their last names to their husbands’.
During medieval times, if a man married a woman whose family came from wealth and respect, then the husband would often take his wife’s last name in order to gain more prominence.
What’s the average amount of time that a couple dates before marrying?
Times have changed over the decades and even centuries, and couples are now dating for longer periods of time before walking across the altar together.
The average amount of time that a couple dates before marrying is currently about two to five years.
For couples who are planning large weddings, it could take another two years before the wedding actually occurs.
Why do some couples choose to elope instead of sharing their special day with family and friends?
A couple may opt to elope for many different reasons, and many simply want their union to be private and special.
However, other couples may decide to elope if they need to get married in a hurry for whatever reason, or if friends or family don’t support the marriage.
For some couples, eloping can be fun, especially if they get married someplace like Las Vegas, where they can have a very memorable but private wedding.
Did couples elope during medieval times?
Couples during medieval times didn’t elope very often, as this was something that the affluent participated in many years later.
Elopement began in the year 1338, but it had a different meaning until nearly the 1800s, as elopement initially referred to a woman leaving her husband and running off to be with a lover.
It wasn’t until 1753 in England before elopement became what we know it as today.
How do couples stay happily married in a world where divorce is so prevalent?
It can be difficult to remain on the same page with a spouse, as people are always growing and evolving. If they don’t do so together, then it could lead to the eventual dissolution of their marriage.
Couples who are able to remain together and stay happy for many years are able to respect each other, keep their love alive, spend adequate time together, and make the decision together to remain fulfilled.
Every marriage has its challenges, but as long as a couple works through them together and their love stays alive, they can come up with ways to overcome those challenges together and remain happily married.
Do some couples give up on their marriages too quickly?
Some couples do give up their marriages too quickly and divorce, which is why many states require that couples undergo counseling before they can proceed to divorce, while other states require a period of legal separation before divorce.
In some cases, if a couple is able to begin properly communicating, they can save their marriages.
However, couples who married for the wrong reason and never loved each other are likely better off divorcing.
Since we are no longer living during times in which sword fights randomly occur, it is obviously not necessary for a woman to ensure that she stands or sits on her husband’s left side.
However, if a couple chooses to practice such a tradition, then there is nothing wrong with a woman standing or sitting on her husband’s left side.
On the other hand, there are couples who aren’t aware of which side of her husband a woman is “supposed” to sit or stand on, or they believe the “tradition” is absurd, so it’s fine if they decide not to follow this “rule.”
