Mixed-race couples brave the odds for acceptance

SINGAPORE — About one in five marriages (21.5 per cent) last year were inter-ethnic, nearly a three-fold increase from 7.6 per cent in 1990, data released by the Department of Statistics revealed.

Though more common, couples in mixed-race relationships told TODAY that strange looks in public and overcoming parental objections are still par for the course. The effort, however, is well worth it as they get to experience a rich blend of two or more cultures.

Chinese-Indian couple Mr Daryl Cheng, 30, and Ms Hema Padmanathan, 29, said the most rewarding part of their relationship is that they are able to enrich their cultural knowledge and “celebrate both worlds”.

Mr Cheng can speak basic Tamil and is hooked on Bollywood films, whereas Ms Hema is fluent in Mandarin and has familiarised herself with the various types of Chinese food such as Hokkien and Cantonese cuisine.

The Singaporeans, who run home-based boutique floral service Bloomen, dated for five years before holding a massive Hindu wedding at Chinatown’s Sri Mariamman Temple last August. Mr Cheng’s parents were excited to learn about Hindu culture, with his mother even shopping up a storm in saris when both families trooped off to Mumbai in India for pre-wedding preparations.

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/...