4/5     In today's society, how do Asians and "Americans" view dating
         / sex / marriages / etc. between a couple with the same last
        name?  This question is directed at a couple who are not known
        to be related by blood by at least three generations and that
        along the line, no sons took on the mothers' last names to
        preserve their names.
        \_ Actually, I've never given any thought to that.  As a white
           guy, I'd probably consider having the same last name as a
           small plus-- no dealing with a name change after marriage.
           Anyway, aren't there tests you're supposed to take prior to
           marriage to check that sort of thing out?
           \_ Blood test are not required in every state. And one does
              not have to be married to beget children.
        \_ Coincidence.
        \_ They should immediately break up to save themselves from a
           miserable and painful future.
        \_ with general apathy, as usual.  "who cares?"
        \_ For Chinese, at least, having same lastname is rather
           common. For those who are more traditional, we tend to ask
           where is their ancestorial home down to the county level.
           The general rule of thumb is that if two are from same
           ancestorial home and having same lastname, then, there
           might be a concern. For the not-so-traditional minded, they
           probably have sex anyway.
        \_ "2 Wongs make it white".
            \_ you forget the word "can"
               \- um assuming this is a serious question: in theory
                  in hinduism, people with certain last names [like
                  banerjee] cannot get married to one another because
                  all banerjees are of the same "gotra" [which roughly
                  means they are all descended from the same relig
                  figure] however some last names are really titles
                  and dont imply family relations [like the name
                  "ray"]. on the other hand in this day an age there
                  is a way to finesse this/loophole to get around
                  this. --psb
                  \_ Two people from the same Gothra aren't necessarily
                     related. There is some historical evidence that
                     implies that the term is derived from the ancient
                     practice of requiring students to pay teachers in
                     cattle (go). Students who had the same teachers
                     ended up in the same gothra.
                     \- ok i should have qualified this a little bit.
                        the bengal kulin system is different from the
                        caste system in other parts of india [YMWTS:
                        "Bangalir Itihas", Nirarranjan Ray]. for at
                        least sandilya gothra and bharadvarja gotra
                        they need to take advantage of some loophole
                        due to the relationship theory. i am not sure
                        in what context and sense you offer your
                        comments so i am unable tocomment further. --psb
                           \_ I was merely clarifying the point
                              that gothra and lastname do not
                              imply genetic relationships in
                              all parts of India even for
                              Brahmins (ex. people converted
                              by Ramanuja were assigned gothra's
                              if they did not already have one)
                        \_ sooo, uh... does anyone have a sendmail question?
                           \- indian name/caste/genealogy make sendmail
                              look simple. try to follow an "explanation" [sic]
                              like this http://tanmoy.tripod.com/tradition