No one beats about the bush quite like the Javanese, an ethnic group from Indonesia's most populous island. Chronicling their mores in 1960 Clifford Geertz, an American anthropologist, noted that proposals for arranged marriages often start with the groom's father visiting the bride's family and saying something as vague as: "The frost in the morning means rain in the evening." More metaphors ensue as the conversation slowly meanders towards the point. The future in-laws then counter with false protests, saying that their daughter is unworthy. This ritual is repeated a few times. When the bride and groom finally meet, direct eye contact is avoided and no one talks of weddings.
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