Historically, the initiative for the omiai introductions often came from the parents who felt that their son or daughter was of a marriageable age ("tekireiki"), usually in the range of 22 to 30, but had shown little or no interest in seeking a partner on their own. Most commonly now, the decision to contact a marriage agency comes directly from the person who seeks a partner, and it is usually due to their lack of opportunity to meet a suitable spouse. Unlike in western cultures, Japanese people very rarely talk to or trust strangers, thus the nakōdo or marriage agency forms the bridge as a trusted third party. At other times, the individual may ask friends or acquaintances to introduce potential mates in a similar way.