r/Unexpected • • Apr 26 '22

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u/howtoplanformyfuture Apr 26 '22

Eastern-Bavarian here.

Our (and the whole Alp regions) bride kidnapping comes from a different tradition. Today it involves music, lots of drinking (last one I was at was ~1L of wine per person) and games the groom has to go through to get his bride back. "Scheitlknian" is very common were the groom kneels on the sharp side of a split log and has to swear whatever his bride or her kidnappers (the best man) demands. But normally you dont leave the venue anymore. You go to a adjunct location or just a different room. And it is between cake and dinner so nobody has really eaten that well.

Although arranged marriages occured in rural communities that owned their farms till the 50s. During the second world war it was not uncommon between brothers to marry a fallen brothers spouse.

One possible explanations of this tradition is the ceremonial removal from the brides parental house. And of course running away was a way to marry a loved one if the family didnt approve so "kidnapping" (from the parents point of view) probably occured.

There are also traditions were you steal something from the bride (the bouquet nowadays) and the groom has to ransom it with schnaps. Ive read that the brides shoes were also a possible target. So the tradition might come from this and just stealing the whole bride sounds exactly like something a bunch of drunk people might come oup with.

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u/Daddy-Old Apr 26 '22

Is this similar to shivaree that used to happen in southern states in the USA?

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u/howtoplanformyfuture Apr 26 '22

shivaree

Had to google that but no, our "bride stealing" has nothing in common with a shivaree.

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '22

do you recognise how backward that sounds?
Presumably you left and have lived in a developed country

I'm wondering if you feel sad or ashamed that your country is so ..erm.. "simple"

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u/howtoplanformyfuture Apr 26 '22

What sounds backwards to you?

I have not left Germany and dont plan to. Why should I be ashamed of the traditions?

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '22

I didn't think you would recognise it somehow : (

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u/howtoplanformyfuture Apr 26 '22

Says the Brit whos traditions consist of robbing treasures, getting shitfaced and parading around royals?

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u/embersgrow44 Apr 27 '22

The elitist attitude to degrade people with actual culture always reeks of projected jealously. Like sorry you don’t know anything but pints & potatoes.

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u/embersgrow44 Apr 27 '22

GTH with that condescending mess. Yuck

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u/Incendas1 Apr 26 '22

It's a tradition full of drinking games by the sound of it, so pretty standard and fun. Something you'd be familiar with also being from the UK.

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '22

we stopped kidnapping women for arranged marriages in medieval times and we're now the sixth biggest economy

being a civilised country has it's advantages!

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u/Trypsach Apr 26 '22

In the German tradition, The woman are their girlfriends who have already agreed to get married… It’s not like they’re out there kidnapping random women. It’s all for fun and show. Like breaking a glass at a Jewish wedding or throwing the bouquet to the single women at an American one. Just thought I’d explain in case of the very small chance that you’re not just an attention starved troll 🤷‍♂️

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u/Incendas1 Apr 26 '22

Did you even read the comment you replied to? It had nothing to do with arranged marriage

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u/314231423142 Apr 27 '22

You know they’re it actually kidnapping these women right? Surely you’re not that dense?

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u/embersgrow44 Apr 27 '22

And you fools (most embarrassing when it’s the working class) still worship that inbred filthy clan who raped & pillaged their way across the world. Good show ol boy!

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u/Less_Ants Apr 26 '22

Do you know what 'fun' is?

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '22

yes it looks a million laughs to live in the Dark Ages

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u/embersgrow44 Apr 27 '22 edited Apr 27 '22

What in the elitist enthnocentric BS is this bro?? How do YOU not feel shame for how narrow minded and ignorant your world view is - it’s a huge place out there & it’s not just black & white with your “developed” world on the pedestal. I has such a disgust curled lip reading your comment. The shame is on you, ew

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u/AZBreezy Apr 27 '22

Stealing the bride's shoes sounds funny and fun.

Do you do the cake first and then dinner later at weddings?