A good college buddy of mine is getting married in America in December. The invitation didn't say anything about a wedding registry, and because my friend is Japanse, I am assuming that we're doing the traditional Japanese thing and bring money (he's kind of busy so I can't really ask him). Assuming we're going with money, how much is the standard gift amount for these situations?
Are they Japanese-American, or are they Japanese natives? If they are Japanese natives, the tradition is to give money and usually it is crisp never circulated bills (in Japan, you would go to the bank to pick this up). You would put it in a special envelop that has "Gift/Celebration" written on it. The standard amount varies depending on your association (relatives versus good friends), but since you said that it is a good college buddy the standard is about 30,000 yen or about $270 (assuming 110 yen = $1). This assumes you are I dunno a typical businessman in your mid 30s I think (a bit less if you are younger, unemployed whatever). If they are really traditional or if they are superstitious, you want to avoid numbers such as 4 and 9 (which could mean death and suffering respectively). It was I believe common to give bills in odd numbers (such as 30,000 yen) to symbolize that you could not evenly divide it (meaning can not divide the marriage), but I think that might be a bit outdated. Younger couples might give 20,000 yen to symbolize 10,000 bill for the pair. These are things that I picked up going to Japanese weddings and reading the random Japanese wedding sites (in anticipation of going to more). Hopefully that helps, but in the end if they are in America and having an "American" wedding, I doubt they would care too much about Japanese traditions etc, and I wouldn't worry about it too much. Also, if they are having an American wedding, I think it is common for people not to explicitly write their wedding registry on the invitation but to have it disseminated in another form (through the wedding party members or nowadays via their personal internet wedding sites). Hope this helped and have fun at your friend's wedding.
You should also take A LOT of business cards with you. Carry them in your suit jacket and NOT your wallet. Present your business card with both hands and accept theirs with both hands as you bow. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER put an Asian persons business card in your wallet. It is seen as a you "sitting on them" and and is viewed as a sign of deep disrespect. Oh, and never tell an Asian person that they are "crazy" or soemthign they said is "crazy". Even if you mean it is as "funny" or "zanny" they will take that as an insult too. I've seen Koreans almost get into fist fights over that one.
Korean church function (ya, go figure). One of the younger Korean kids who was not born here but came over young enough not to know Korean custom that well (generation 1.5) said another kid was crazy. Not in a bad way, like Martin Lawrence style "you so crazzzy". The "crazy" kids mom didn't get it. Started screaming "My boy's not crazy! YOU crazy." Then the the other's kid's mom runs over and starts asking "who said crazy? WHO said CRAZY!?" The kids just looked at each like "WTF just happened?" Then the dad's come over thinking the mom's are calling each other crazy and they start to argue. Michi-Nom (crazy) this. Napa-Nom that. Then it was really ON. Why you ask? Here's a hint: Want to get beat to death by a Korean man? Calll him a napa-nom. It basically translates in English to "bad-man" but is about the equivalent to M-F'er to the millionth power. The kids finally had to step in and explain what the heck happened before they started tearing each other apart. My girlfriend, now wife said about halfway through "Let's get the hell outta here now." But I just had to stay and watch.
Good point. Man, I love MATH problems... I believe there is a formula for following the prime numbers... or was it the MERSENNE PRIME? Where 2^(p)-1 is prime, when p is prime. Or, to find out if a number is prime, find the number whose square would give you a total higher than that number, and then start dividing by numbers under the one squared. For example, your 293: The closest squared number OVER that is 18, which is 324. Begin dividing by 17, all the way to 2, and neither will factorize. You got a prime number, baby.
I say dont worry about it. just because he is your college buddy that doesnt mean you guys are that close now. Give whatever you feel comfortable with.. if your young/broke I dont think anyone will much My wife uses the following. acquaintance - enough to cover dinner $50 friend - $88 (good luck number) family - $100 if we were rich that might be a different story but dont give more than you feel comfortable giving. If it puts a hole in your wallet its probably not a good idea. J
He he, I knew I could count on you guys for good advice (and some humor ). Thank you all for the detailed advice. For some clarification, this couple is Japanese American and they are pretty Americanized (though their family still speaks Japanese and follow traditions). I'm in my early thirties, unmarried, and probably won't bring a date to the wedding (thanks to watching Wedding Crashers ).
did anyone know that in Chinese the number 7, sounds like the word for "c%ck" ? not the chicken, but as in penis. i found out the hard way
There is a story behind this. And that story should never be told anywhere outside of a therapist's office.
Seriously, Japanese men are small and insignificant. If it were me, I'd take their "business card" and wipe my ass with it. Then I'd hand them a dollar and remind them of Hiroshima. Then I'd get my ass beaten by a bunch of their lillipution butts and tossed out the door. Am I evil?
They are going to have a very, very special place reserved just for you down there when you finally kick-off.
