As you come to my age, you would probably attend at least 6 weddings a year. Besides the mass consumption of food during the dinner, I have also learned “a lot” about Chinese wedding.

I remember attending the first wedding a few years back when I first came to Singapore. What struck me the most is the “red packet” system here. I was pretty intrigued by the “price list” that the guest will generally use as a guideline to contribute the red packet money.

The amount of money you put in the red packet depends on the venue of the wedding banquet (more if the dinner is at the 5-star hotel), time of the wedding (lunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and so is weekdays) and etc.

I have to ask the “veteran” how much to give each time.

It didn’t make sense to me before. I mean, the newly-weds invite their friends and families to witness their wedding and so, give a treat to the guest. But also expect the guest to pay for their meals?

What also surprise me the most is the general comment made by the newly-weds,“the red-packet money can usually cover the cost of the dinner…so not to worry if the banquet cost $1000 per table.”

So the couple chooses to throw a $1000 per table banquet to the guest and “kind-of” expects the guest to pay at least $100 per person so to cover the cost?

Then, what is the true meaning and purpose of throwing a banquet then if it is to give your guest a treat?

And of course, there is a supply-and-demand issue. Some guests pay $60 for the dinner, they also expect to consume as much alcohol and shark fin as possible.

I can’t remember how many times I have read about people’s complains about paying for an expensive banquet but did not get to eat shark fin and abalone. Some even complained about vegetarian banquet or banquet without alcohol because “it is not worth the red packet money that they give”.

I am not saying everyone is like that. Only some. If the money is to be given as a blessing, then so be it. Why complain so much?

Just recently, I attended my friend’s wedding and she married an American. They had simple buffet but it was a wedding that I will remember for life! The groom’s father dressed up as Elvis Presley, sang a few song to entertain the guests.

The coolest dad!

The newly-weds did a Bollywood dance performance in suit and gown, they went around taking photos and everybody talked to everybody (because there was no table but only a handful of chairs). Guests did chicken dance and etc. It was one wedding that was not ABOUT THE FOOD, nor how many gowns the bride change during the banquet!

Suddenly, it reminded me of the weddings that I used to attend in Australia. Simple food but lots of love and interaction! The guests did not just turn up, consume the first to last dish and then bid goodbye. And I often made some new friends in their weddings.

I am glad that my parents are cool about what I like. To them, wedding is not about “face”, nor how many dresses I change and shark fin! So…Definitely no shark fin in my wedding…

Poor sharks…

p/s: No, I. AM. NOT. planning for a wedding…

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Had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day. We talked about how the younger ones think and behave differently from our generation.

Now, I must say, my friend is Gen X and I am Gen Y (caught in between). He shared with me that his Gen Y colleagues were generally more self-centered, self-serving and sheltered. Perhaps he guessed, that it was the upbringing and the “sheltered” environment that has changed how people handling issues. So he shared…

My friend told me about a 22 year-old guy who wrote him an email regarding his stock trading class. In his email, the young chap said:

“You mentioned that it costs SGD1,xxx to join your course. Just wondering if you have any credential or certificate? Could you guarantee that I will make money after taking up your course? Could I also ask if there is a money-back guarantee if your student does not make money after a certain period of time?”

His friend replied…

“I suggest that you find a better teach elsewhere. By the way, may I know why you want to take up this course? Do you want to pursue it as a full-time career?”

The young chap answered…

“I do not like to take the train to work in the morning. So I thought this could be an alternative for me.”

Well, I suggest that you can take the bus then…(mine)

Of course, I am not saying that ALL the young chaps nowadays think like that. This is just an “exceptional” case. But it is interesting to see that there are more young chaps look for an easy job, no risk and think that they also deserve the best.

Money-back guarantee for stock trading?? I also want..

Just like the other day, an O level student (16 years old) asked me if studying in XXX diploma can guarantee him a job after he completed it. (He hasn’t even chosen the course nor started it).

Wow I thought: if you know such a course exists that can guarantee you a job even before you start, let me know…co’s I also want to join that course.

So I gently replied:“Well, I think the only one who can answer you that, is God himself.”

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