I know it is a stupid question. I loved the original film, and i've seen over and over again, but there's a line i just can't get... why does she get so excited when eliot tells her to do blood tests?
i'm sure it must be obviuos... but i'm not from an english spoken country and i don't have subtitles...
please, if someone could explain that to me i would thank you very much.
It means they're going to get married.
shareNot from an English speaking country? You wouldn't be from Portugal, Mary? Just playing with you.
Even if the subs were in your language they would say the same thing, because the line has no alternate meaning literally, only a cultural one.
It's customary in the US to take a blood test before getting married (for blood type, etc). To ask someone to take a blood test is another way of saying you want to commit to them.
Only a few states in the US require blood tests now. At that time, probably most if not all did require them when applying for a marriage license.
http://www.coolnurse.com/marriage_laws2.htm
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It's customary in the US to take a blood test before getting married (for blood type, etc).Actually, the reason for the blood test requirement was to make sure neither party had STDs before they married. This has obviously changed in the last few decades, since most couples have already had sex prior to marriage. That's why it's not required in most states anymore.
The 'etc' was for STD's. Not sure that most people having sex before marriage is a reason for the change, though. You'd think that if more people had been having sex before getting married there would be more reason to check for STD's.
shareThe 'etc' was for STDs. Not sure that most people having sex before marriage is a reason for the change, though. You'd think that if more people had been having sex before getting married there would be more reason to check for STDs.Think I might not have made myself clear. The STDs were the main reason for the blood test (what difference does it make what your blood type is when getting married?). The only other reason was to allow for a "cooling off" period, so that people wouldn't just decide to get married on a whim. It allowed for a couple of days delay so the couple could come to their senses if need be.
what difference does it make what your blood type is when getting married?
When I said that they don't perform blood tests anymore because most couples have had sex before marriage, I mean with each other. Therefore, if one member of the couple does have an STD, then more than likely the other one already has it too, thus making the blood test pointless. Hope that clears things up.
Blood type CAN matter. Rh incompatibility, the is the + or -, can lead to fetal death. Today it is very treatable, back then it was but it was more dangerous, I think. And of course there was the concern of one partner having an untreated STD because they did not test for that in "standard" blood work of an exam, if it was not indicated.
shareThe only blood test required in New York was an RPR, which was for syphilis only. A person could have numerous other STDs but this was the only one tested. I'm pretty sure at one point NY dropped the blood test requirement but when I got married in 1980 I had to get one. Occasionally patients planning on marriage in other states would need to get a blood type done. Knowing your blood type IS handy but before accepting your blood for family or other donation it is tested again.
shareThey used to also check for Rh factor. I think if both had the rh gene, it caused birth defects. It was kind of a heads up. I never heard of anyone NOT getting a marriage license due to blood test results, but in many states it was required to at least check.
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