When I got married, my husband invited some of his colleagues
who were not Singaporeans.
It was not in their culture to give monetary presents for the
wedding. Instead, some of the gifts I received from them included a
photo album, and a few of them gave us bibles (even though we are
not christian)
If I look at the financial value of their gifts, it is below what
was the so-called 'market price' for a chinese wedding. But so
what? I don't think they have the 'free=loading" attitude as you
call it. The gift was sincere, and that's enough.
I understand your unhappiness about people who 'free-load' At the
same time, in the same wedding, I have relatives who were totally
not close, who RSVPed at the last minute and came in ENTIRE
families. Comparatively, I would say their 'angpows' were 'bigger'
than the gifts if calculated PER person - but still I felt they
were insincere (besides the point, they also created some OTHER
problems) and I felt taken advantage of.
SO I think if you talk about people 'tekaning' you during your
wedding, it has nothing to do with the amount INSIDE the angpow -
but the PEOPLE involved.
And honestly, at the end of it all - It's ATTITUDE that matters.
Not the money. And so people can give u $100 angpow, and yes, u
still feel like shit receiving that money cos they MAKE you feel
like shit about it. I rather receive my $10 for an auntie who bring
her 6 kids and truly gimme her blessings, than those who totally
give u shit and wave money in ur face.
