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In the Netherlands, there is virtually no societal difference between people that are in a long-term relationship and live together, and married people. To the

In the Netherlands, there is virtually no societal difference between people that are in a long-term relationship and live together, and married people. To the point that people call themselves husband and wife if they technically 'just' live together. My German girlfriend was shocked to learn this, in other countries (and cultures) marriage really is more of a 'thing'.

tromp 3y ago
> people call themselves husband and wife In Dutch that is just "man" en "vrouw", i.e. man and woman. For spouse they use either "partner" or "echtgenoot", only the latter of which implies marriage.
Semaphor 3y ago
It depends. I’d say the biggest difference is that we (I’m also German) wouldn’t call someone husband and wife when they live together, but otherwise people don’t care much (at least here in the north, the south is usually more traditional). Tax and other benefits (I married someone from non-EU which gave her a residence permit) can make marriage a practical choice, though.
hotpotamus 3y ago
In the US that would be called a common law marriage and basically ends up creating a marriage that is recognized by the law (for good or ill). Basically if you say you're married, then you're married. I assume the American tradition comes from English common law because of the name, but I doubt it's unique to those societies.
- amanaplanacanal 3y ago
  Common law marriage varies state to state. My state doesn't recognize it, but some others do.
- pengaru 3y ago
  > Basically if you say you're married, then you're married. I just wanted to note that, depending on the state, the corollary can also apply; If you say you're not married, then you're not married. The more witnesses of both parties clearly stating this, the better. I'm referring to states where common-law marriage potentially kicks in just by living together long enough.
dleslie 3y ago
In BC, Canada, there is no practical legal difference between marriage and long term cohabitation. Not getting married and living together is rather normal, and comes with the same risk of financial segmentation and alimony or child support.
- giantg2 3y ago
  Some states in the US have similar common law marriages.
- e-brake 3y ago
  I can attest that this. There is no advantage to being married in BC (and many other places) It's not because we are afraid of commitment, like this flimsy article suggests. We simply don't care about the symbolic ritual.
  - pcthrowaway 3y ago
    My friend who got permanent residency in BC after getting married might argue otherwise
- noirbot 3y ago
  Curious question - does this take effect for all couples/groups? I've been roommates with people for 3+ years before with no sexual/romantic interest. Would I be considered married to them in BC? Is this different for same-sex pairings? What if three people cohabitate for an extended period? Are they all married to each other?
  - jdrbc 3y ago
    The law accounts for roommates by defining the nature of the relationship. Cohabitation for a certain period isn't the full definition. The definition does not allow for more than 2 people in the relationship.
    - pcthrowaway 3y ago

tromp 3y ago

> people call themselves husband and wife In Dutch that is just "man" en "vrouw", i.e. man and woman. For spouse they use either "partner" or "echtgenoot", only the latter of which implies marriage.

Semaphor 3y ago

It depends. I’d say the biggest difference is that we (I’m also German) wouldn’t call someone husband and wife when they live together, but otherwise people don’t care much (at least here in the north, the south is usually more traditional). Tax and other benefits (I married someone from non-EU which gave her a residence permit) can make marriage a practical choice, though.

hotpotamus 3y ago

In the US that would be called a common law marriage and basically ends up creating a marriage that is recognized by the law (for good or ill). Basically if you say you're married, then you're married. I assume the American tradition comes from English common law because of the name, but I doubt it's unique to those societies.

amanaplanacanal 3y ago
Common law marriage varies state to state. My state doesn't recognize it, but some others do.
pengaru 3y ago
> Basically if you say you're married, then you're married. I just wanted to note that, depending on the state, the corollary can also apply; If you say you're not married, then you're not married. The more witnesses of both parties clearly stating this, the better. I'm referring to states where common-law marriage potentially kicks in just by living together long enough.

dleslie 3y ago

In BC, Canada, there is no practical legal difference between marriage and long term cohabitation. Not getting married and living together is rather normal, and comes with the same risk of financial segmentation and alimony or child support.

giantg2 3y ago
Some states in the US have similar common law marriages.
e-brake 3y ago
I can attest that this. There is no advantage to being married in BC (and many other places) It's not because we are afraid of commitment, like this flimsy article suggests. We simply don't care about the symbolic ritual.
- pcthrowaway 3y ago
  My friend who got permanent residency in BC after getting married might argue otherwise
noirbot 3y ago
Curious question - does this take effect for all couples/groups? I've been roommates with people for 3+ years before with no sexual/romantic interest. Would I be considered married to them in BC? Is this different for same-sex pairings? What if three people cohabitate for an extended period? Are they all married to each other?
- jdrbc 3y ago
  The law accounts for roommates by defining the nature of the relationship. Cohabitation for a certain period isn't the full definition. The definition does not allow for more than 2 people in the relationship.
  - pcthrowaway 3y ago