We have moved on a long way from the painstaking chai serving rishta scenario of yesteryear.

The rigmarole that used to entail a demure young woman bringing in a tray of tea to scrutinising eyes has now taken a digital turn.

Aunties have moved on from their little black matchmaking books to stalking potential brides and grooms on Facebook by ascertaining all superficial details from a profile picture.

Now, wannabe brides and grooms are taking control.

When told of a potential partner, men and women have made the screening process more sophisticated and less awkward, courtesy of WhatsApp.

The modus operandi of the modern day rishta now demands that a mobile number be exchanged between both consenting parties.

Then the fun starts.

The initial text is only sent if the WhatsApp picture meets one’s expectations.

It’s a fool proof procedure.

Siraj, a 26-year-old marketing manager who is still looking to get married, said: “I don’t do the family meetings. My mum was constantly introducing me to people.

“It meant all my Sundays were spent at people’s houses eating samosas while they stared at me.

“I couldn’t ever talk to the woman because it was so strained and awkward.

“Now I tell my mum to get me the phone of the person. If we hit off on text, then we can take it forward another step and get the families to meet up.

“It’s an easier process. Less stress, therefore less sweat-inducing scenes!

“I only send the initial text out if the girl is good looking. I have certain taste, and I want a girl to look a certain way. I need to be attracted to her first.

“The only thing is, with WhatsApp, after I send out the initial text, you wait and see until those two blue ticks appear.

“But when you know the message has been read, then I start obsessing over why the person hasn’t replied back!

“Whilst it’s easier on some levels to text, it also leads to a whole other set of social politics!

“I start thinking, was it the way I worded my text, or does she not like my picture?

“One woman ended our conversation quite abruptly as she said that I seemed, quote, ‘effeminate’ because I signed off my message with an ‘x’.

“It’s not by any means a painless procedure, but at least I am in the comfort of my home when we text.”

Faisal, a 39-year-old chartered surveyor, also uses WhatsApp as a means to shortlist women.

”I bet Facebook didn’t realise when they bought WhatsApp that they would also be facilitating Asian marriages!

“I’m too old to do those formal meetings between the families. I can’t sit there anymore and be asked personal questions about how much I earn. Why should I have to keep proving myself? It’s demeaning.

“But, as any other Asian parents, my parents are worried I am getting too old, and they are desperate to see me ‘settled down’.

“I prefer to text the other person that they want to introduce me to. This breaks the ice and then we meet up afterwards for a coffee or dinner.

“The problem is, this process has not proved to be effective so far.

“I find that women use far too many filters before they post their photos.

“They’re usually really dolled up in the pictures. They use these filters and apps to make their skin look lighter and smoother.

“And what is it with women taking their photos in bathrooms?

“I asked one woman, and she said the light is better for pictures in the bathroom.

“There’s a ridiculous level of vanity when it comes to profile pictures.

“My issue is, no woman I have ever met following a WhatsApp chat has ever looked like her profile picture!

“And when I tell them they look different, they get really offended.

“That conversation pretty much ends that meeting.

“At least I know we are not compatible without the families getting involved though.

“It’s far less awkward this way and less embarrassing for my parents.”