Wedding Dinner
I was attending my ex-colleague's wedding dinner in town and was surprised to find out that not much has changed since my own back in the late 90's.
The late start of a typical Chinese wedding dinner banquet is the norm although invitation card stated 7 pm sharp. There are too many VIPs not filling up the tables hence would be difficult to start the first course. The food presentation where switching off or dimming the function room's lights and sending out food trays accompanied by theme music (probably the few title that was popular) etc. None of these has changed after all these years.
One of the guests sitting on the same table as us brought up the subject of whether or not a wedding dinner would actually allow the host to make profit out of the event. Some said yes, but majority would say no but best would be to break even assuming the well-to-do relatives would be more generous with their "Ang Pows" (gift in monetary form). The reason being some of the friends or work colleagues may not be giving "Ang Pows" but rather would prefer to give photo frames, group gift items, or cash vouchers for SPA or departmental stores in place of the cash token.
Most often, there will be a few family giving one "ang pow" but have a table full of children and domestic helper. It would be quite rare that this one "ang pow" is as generous as the cost of one banquet table. Anyway, wedding reception is once in a lifetime thing and most newly wed or their parents would not be too bothered about this cost recovery factor, after all this is a joyous moment and all cost has been accounted for when a child is born. Part and parcel of being a parent I guess.
Most importantly, all relatives and friends have been informed that their child is now an independent adult with his/her own family. A fair price to pay for officially relinquishing their parental care for the child to their husband or wife. Time to enjoy the extra freedom without having to provide for the unmarried. Welcome to the world of being an "in-law" and occasionally play host for the visiting son/daughter with their babies if you are lucky!
The late start of a typical Chinese wedding dinner banquet is the norm although invitation card stated 7 pm sharp. There are too many VIPs not filling up the tables hence would be difficult to start the first course. The food presentation where switching off or dimming the function room's lights and sending out food trays accompanied by theme music (probably the few title that was popular) etc. None of these has changed after all these years.
One of the guests sitting on the same table as us brought up the subject of whether or not a wedding dinner would actually allow the host to make profit out of the event. Some said yes, but majority would say no but best would be to break even assuming the well-to-do relatives would be more generous with their "Ang Pows" (gift in monetary form). The reason being some of the friends or work colleagues may not be giving "Ang Pows" but rather would prefer to give photo frames, group gift items, or cash vouchers for SPA or departmental stores in place of the cash token.
Most often, there will be a few family giving one "ang pow" but have a table full of children and domestic helper. It would be quite rare that this one "ang pow" is as generous as the cost of one banquet table. Anyway, wedding reception is once in a lifetime thing and most newly wed or their parents would not be too bothered about this cost recovery factor, after all this is a joyous moment and all cost has been accounted for when a child is born. Part and parcel of being a parent I guess.
Most importantly, all relatives and friends have been informed that their child is now an independent adult with his/her own family. A fair price to pay for officially relinquishing their parental care for the child to their husband or wife. Time to enjoy the extra freedom without having to provide for the unmarried. Welcome to the world of being an "in-law" and occasionally play host for the visiting son/daughter with their babies if you are lucky!
posted by spectrakia at
12:17 am
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