Comments on: Guide to Weddings in Taipei http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/2008/08/01/guide-to-weddings-in-taipei/ Observations from a half-fried, half-Chinese, half-Australian American. Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:38:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: mike http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/2008/08/01/guide-to-weddings-in-taipei/comment-page-1/#comment-561 mike Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:02:54 +0000 http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/?p=17#comment-561 Oops, total 3 dresses -- 2 dress changes. Edited. Oops, total 3 dresses — 2 dress changes. Edited.

]]> By: Fiona http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/2008/08/01/guide-to-weddings-in-taipei/comment-page-1/#comment-489 Fiona Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:01:22 +0000 http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/?p=17#comment-489 What happened to dress change #2? This is awesome. :) What happened to dress change #2?

This is awesome. :)

]]> By: Sophie http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/2008/08/01/guide-to-weddings-in-taipei/comment-page-1/#comment-479 Sophie Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:25:38 +0000 http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/?p=17#comment-479 I think the custom is from the old days. At that time many people had financial difficulties to prepare a wedding, so the red envelope was a way that their relatives and friends could help them. So this time you help your friend (via the red envelope), and the next time your friend should help you in return. Nowadays almost everyone is rich and can afford the wedding cost. Some newly wed do not care how much is in the red envelope, but some still do, especially the elders (e.g. their parents). Marriage in Taiwan is a business of two families, not only of two people. It is not easy to know if they really care of it, so the safest way is following the custom. I think the custom is from the old days. At that time many people had financial difficulties to prepare a wedding, so the red envelope was a way that their relatives and friends could help them. So this time you help your friend (via the red envelope), and the next time your friend should help you in return.

Nowadays almost everyone is rich and can afford the wedding cost. Some newly wed do not care how much is in the red envelope, but some still do, especially the elders (e.g. their parents). Marriage in Taiwan is a business of two families, not only of two people. It is not easy to know if they really care of it, so the safest way is following the custom.

]]> By: mike http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/2008/08/01/guide-to-weddings-in-taipei/comment-page-1/#comment-476 mike Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:01:10 +0000 http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/?p=17#comment-476 Thanks for your comments, Sophie. The gift amounts I have are relative to my experience and pay grade. Honestly, though I have to say that it disturbs me that the money I give would be perceived as a reflection of the worth of my friendship. Perhaps that's just the reality of modern Taiwanese life? Thanks for your comments, Sophie. The gift amounts I have are relative to my experience and pay grade. Honestly, though I have to say that it disturbs me that the money I give would be perceived as a reflection of the worth of my friendship. Perhaps that’s just the reality of modern Taiwanese life?

]]> By: Sophie http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/2008/08/01/guide-to-weddings-in-taipei/comment-page-1/#comment-470 Sophie Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:05:32 +0000 http://asian-caucasian.stroke7.com/?p=17#comment-470 About the red envelope, I usually prepare NTD 2000 for my coworker's or friend's wedding banquets and NTD 1200 if I do not go. In my opinion, NTD 1200 might be too less for joining a wedding banquet in Taipei. If you think your friendship with the groom of the bride only costs NTD 1200, then maybe you should consider not to go. A suggestion is to ask other attendants (for example, other coworkers) how much they prepare before going to the wedding banquet. Some people may tell, and some people may not. But it is still a good way to know how much you should prepare. The amount of red envelope also depends on where the wedding banquet is held. If it is the places like Grand Hyatt Hotel, NTD 2000 is the least amount if you decide to attend. If you are single and you are very close to the groom/bride, NTD 3200 is a good choice. You should avoid NTD 3600 because Taiwanese custom says they should return a larger amount when next time you are married, and the next proper amount of NTD 3600 is NTD 6000. Besides, I heard that '8' is not proper for weddings as well because the the pronunciation of '8' is similar to separation (別). About the red envelope, I usually prepare NTD 2000 for my coworker’s or friend’s wedding banquets and NTD 1200 if I do not go. In my opinion, NTD 1200 might be too less for joining a wedding banquet in Taipei. If you think your friendship with the groom of the bride only costs NTD 1200, then maybe you should consider not to go. A suggestion is to ask other attendants (for example, other coworkers) how much they prepare before going to the wedding banquet. Some people may tell, and some people may not. But it is still a good way to know how much you should prepare.

The amount of red envelope also depends on where the wedding banquet is held. If it is the places like Grand Hyatt Hotel, NTD 2000 is the least amount if you decide to attend.

If you are single and you are very close to the groom/bride, NTD 3200 is a good choice. You should avoid NTD 3600 because Taiwanese custom says they should return a larger amount when next time you are married, and the next proper amount of NTD 3600 is NTD 6000.

Besides, I heard that ’8′ is not proper for weddings as well because the the pronunciation of ’8′ is similar to separation (別).

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