When I was in my teens, when people found out I was Muslim one of the first things they would ask me is if that meant I would have an arranged marriage. I'd get annoyed and sad about that, explain that it was actually a "cultural thing" that ignorant Muslims did - and that it's not allowed in Islam. And that my family are not like that anyway so I'm lucky and thankful for that.  
Of course, my parents know they can't tell me who to marry, but they can certainly tell me who
not to marry.
Ah, limited freedoms - one of the great perks of Islam.  
Also, I've heard things that people tell me about arranged marriages like "Oh, but they ended up liking each other so it's all good."  
talk about missing the point.
And people who consider the fact that their parents set them up (found their spouse from their contacts) as an "arranged marriage" because it was their parents that hooked them up basically. *barf*My parents have many a time tried to get me with their best friend's sons and other people they know. (One guy even wanted to be engaged right away  
to use that time to "get to know each other" I told him I don't think engagements work that way - for me at least.) Having a strong preference for white men (so tryin to hook me up from someone who is from my country - of whom generally I am rarely attracted to -ugh) and a strong...distaste for religious men that my parents (till this day) say "He's a good person and will take care of you, that's what matters most" doesn't really make it work out.
Thanks for caring about my feelings in the matter mom and dad, while also implying that I don't want a "good guy" (I want a thug!!!
) or I don't know any better to know how to choose for myself.  
Its strange how i am one of the few guys that finds this off-putting. Why would i let my mama find a wife for me?
, that can make one look less of a man if you ask me.