At a wedding, rigidity usually means keeping everyone vertical as the drinks start to flow. In Japan, it also describes a growing problem with the price of admission.
Like many people in their mid-40s, it had been a while since I was last at a wedding, as my demographic had long since either paired off or stayed single. So long, that at the recent ceremony of a friend and colleague, I had to check one tradition: How much I am supposed to give.
In Japan, instead of a present or bridal registry, it¡¯s customary to offer newlyweds cash, known as go-shugi. It¡¯s one of those charming (if, at times, expensive) customs that smooth over social interactions and eliminate potential faux pas, with the amount helpfully dictated by convention, typically ?30,000 ($183 at the time of this writing) for a friend¡¯s wedding or ?50,000 if attending as a couple.
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