What do you feel about the more formal courtship instead of dating? It precedes a marriage and engagement but you are dating with an expectation of marriage
It sounds old fashion and doesn't seem like its your choice. I also think a lot rich people do that.
It is a bit old fashioned.  I am not sure if its rich people or more religious people that do it.  I believe you have the courtship period where they get to know each other with strict rules in place and then decide if they want the engagement
Wow, I didnt' know the rules were that strict, so I take it no love making is allowed.
LOL..I think maybe they set rules in place from I understand of what is allowed and not allowed ahead of time. Courtship can sometimes be just between the couple or it can be shared b/t the entire family and everyone is involved in the process
Interesting, I guess its to weed out the bad apples but it feels like the family has more control than the son or daughter in the courtship.
That is probably some of it. they want them to just get to know each other and for the male to actively court or  "woo" the female that way they understand each other in a different way and can accept or not accept his proposal better I suppose
Does offering the family gifts improve ones chances of a successful courtship and seal approval from the family ?
Now that would be weird wouldn't it?  I am not sure if maybe in different parts of the world it might.  I know that courtships differ and durations differ considerably around the world
I remember reading in India, some guys offer the father farm animals to court his daughter.