It is not about
how to manage my parents expectations. That part I can take care. But rather
which of my parents are reasonable and which are not. Even 30 years ago my parents expectations would have seemed extremely liberal and generous. They and I both don't care about height/weight/looks and economic status. Eventually my parents will have to compromise on some of their expectations and I will have to compromise on mine as well. Is it not wiser to figure out what compromises have to be made even before one starts searching for a bride? It seems from some of the replies that so many people have a laundry list of expectations and by trial and error compromise one by one till they get married. I just want to do this reduction of expectation intelligently instead of by trial and error. I should have made this clear right at the opening post. My apologies for being unclear on the opening post. I made it look as if my parents and I are completely rigid. This is untrue. Please read some of my earlier posts which should start appearing one by one to get a sense of what I mean by intelligently reduce on expectation.
And regarding on why I want to get married. I had mentioned this, I want to get married because happiness multiplies when you have someone special to share it with. And of course parents happiness also plays a major role but this may not be a lame reason. A significantly large number people do get married because there parents are forcing them. Of course this does not imply that it is not a lame reason. Can you tell me a non-lame reason for getting married? I am not sure there are any! It is a matter of perspective of what is a lame reason and what is not.
What do I have to offer? I am not sure what to answer expect saying it depends on what you mean. From marriage profiles of girls, all I can glean is a girl's material expectation and in a few profiles certain personality expectations like broad-minded, open, honest, supportive. I can only say whether I can offer these or not. Most girls expect a professional qualification (specifically B.Tech or MBA or BE or CA from what I understand of the term professional). I don't have this qualification. I am not conformable talking about income and other stuff in a public forum but I will just say that girls will probably not reject me for my income but rather for my parents orthodoxy and my eccentricity.
Regarding personality requirements, I am not sure. Am I am a broad-minded? I don't know; It is completely subjective. My close friends who are atheists and nihilists consider me broad-minded but I am sure many people on this forum would not consider me broad-minded at all. My parents think I am closed-minded because I oppose them using silk! Similarly, for the other personality requirements. It is completely subjective. People have to meet me and engage me in a conversation and decide for themselves.
Regarding looks. Here I can give a clear-cut answer. I am average or maybe even below average in looks.
But if you ask me personally, what I have to offer, I would say it is the fact that I have such rich and varied hobbies. Maybe it is just blind arrogance, but I sincerely doubt anyone can spend an hours time with me and come out of it feeling bored. Of course, I may have this false arrogance solely because I have spent time with only researchers and they have peculiar tastes. As I have mentioned, the main reason I have Ph.D. as an expectation is because I have not interacted much with females who do not have a Ph.D. For all I know, they might find me tedious and boring. The feeling might be mutual as well!
And it is not as if I am averse to getting married. It is just that it is not a big deal personally if I do not get married. There is a big difference between
wanting to stay unmarried and not
minding being single. Please do not conflate the two.
SP: Something does not add up. Is your post mainly about how you manage your parents expectations? - No general advice is possible then.
Is it mainly about finding someone as a wife?
If so, can you state why you want to get married (saying for the sake of parents is lame )? What do you have to offer a woman who want to think about marrying you (your phd is meaningless for this, it is not a job application) ?
If you want to stay unmarried, there is no need for a thread of discussion