Most people usually start planning their dream wedding when they are young. However, there is always one thing we overlook. That is, the surprisingly hefty price we need to pay to have our perfect ceremony. Some tend to have work arounds for this. Others however supposedly rely on cash from wedding gifts to help with the fee!
A netizen recently shared that a friend had only gotten RM20 as a wedding gift during an expensive wedding banquet. Needless to say, they weren’t very impressed. They also took it upon themselves to explain why the couple had been expecting more, claiming they actually depended on the cash gift to cover their expenses.
The issue first popped up anonymously in a Facebook group. According to the netizen, someone had apparently had the audacity to leave RM20 as a wedding gift after experiencing a wedding banquet at a hotel in Bukit Bintang. The netizen later told China Press that this had happened to a couple they knew.
“Don’t (mess around), do you know that the price of one table has gone up to RM1500 now?” they snapped. “Are you asking us to lose money if you only (gift) RM20? Do you know that the average price for a drink is RM150? (That’s not including) GST!” The netizen also sarcastically asked if the guest thought they were still stuck in the past when things were somewhat cheaper.
The netizen continued to claim that it was only logical that a wedding guest repay their hosts. “Your ang pau (wedding gift) is your fee for the meal!” they exclaimed. “Give what is due!” They added that it was fine if the guest didn’t want to gift them money. “At least buy a decent gift! Or, we will even accept a hug!” they stated. However, what really made them mad was that the wedding gift had been given anonymously. “You thought we were busy and didn’t know! We recognised (you)!” they wrote.
Additionally, they felt that if one received an invitation to the wedding banquet, they should also send their wedding gifts to the couple regardless of whether they could make it or not. “People ask you to attend because they think highly of you (and) because you have the money and ability to give,” the netizen lectured. “Don’t get revenge like this in the future if you don’t want to pay. (Otherwise) when you get married, we will also give you the same (dues)!”
However, other netizens were quick to disagree with the post. Some agreed that while gifting cash as a wedding gift was etiquette, the focus should be on its meaning than its amount. Others pointed out that if a banquet was too expensive, it was fine to not hold one.
Well, it’s certainly true that gifting cash for a wedding is an age old tradition. However, in this day and age, most are more understanding when couples prioritise their financial situation over tradition. Well, hopefully the people involved will be able to resolve the issue peacefully!
Sources: China Press, Facebook
