The first traditional step for a man to find a life partner is to have the merisik custom of indirect ascertaining. This step starts with the man's family sending a representative to the woman's home to find out more about the background and position of the woman to marry. Just like the Malay custom, this merisik practice is also infused with allusions and the reciprocation of pantun poems between the two parties.

However, the custom of merisik among the Melaka Portuguese community is no longer practiced due to lack of interest and the lack of skilled individuals to do carry out the custom. Furthermore, the current generation is free to socialise and can get to know each other in order to choose a life partner if they so wish.