When you think about engagement, you usually imagine the gift of an engagement ring as a sign of a future together. Engagement traditions around the world are all different and unique. Though marriage has the same meaning in different parts of the world, the events that occur prior to the wedding and the engagement traditions have different approaches and practices.
Germany
In Germany, engagement is considered more casual than in the United States. When dating in Germany, one partner will present a promise ring to the other. It is a much smaller ring than an engagement ring. They will keep that ring throughout the whole engagement period. The promise ring represents a reassurance that the couple are still dating, and that they are working to build a future together, perhaps resulting in a future marriage. If someone receives a promise ring, it is very common for them to wear it on their left hand, not their right hand. After the wedding, the same ring is worn on the right hand. In most cases, when traveling to different parts of Europe besides Germany, most people will have their promise rings on their right hand.

China
A long time ago, when arranged marriages were still very common in the Chinese culture, the parents of the bride-to-be would hire a matchmaker and send him forth to all the male-occupied homes seeking a lucrative marriage proposal.
Nowadays, some families still look forward to arranging marriages, but most Chinese people can find their match on their own. ...