for me, i do not think that 6k is high for ping kam. as for parents, they might ask for this price not only for covering expenses during the wedding, but maybe testing to check if your future hubby has been saving for wedding or not?
those who actually save for wedding, will sure be able to take out 6k easily and i had heard some even asked for 10k, so 6k is just still not high.
if you felt it looks not so nice as like your parents selling daughter, just what is they demanding for 6k purpose...
my personal opinion is, if my parents asked my future hubby to pay 6k for ping kam, and he could not afford it, even though we had dated for 8 years, and he has been working for more than 8 years, then this kind of man, you should consider if he is worth loving. he didnt even know how to save for his future life and future family, meaning, no family planning, no future planning, meaning, in rainy days, you got to fork out your own even if it's necessary for you to borrow money because he do not have saving.
say that i m materialistic or i m money minded, but the guy who cannot afford to take out 6k for 8 years relationship and getting to married, is showing me one sign, which is the guy is not financially secure and he do not have planning.

nice, i have a problem now
my gf parents ask abt same amount as yours, a roasted pig, 2 vsop, 50-100 boxes cakes, 3-5 tables. and said, probably not enough.

they also said no money buy gold for her, dont want do buffet for her, basically dont want use to use any money on her.
and there will totally no generous or no refund of the money. all my friends got almost all back. their parent just take for the sake of tradition only.

this will sum up to about 8k-10k alone. i need to fork it out myself.
total for wedding will cost about 40k at least, which include bedroom set, rings, photography, angpows and dinner.

if you wonder why my gf doesnt have money, her parent doesnt help her/give her money to save since young. it is so totally different to their son.
she still have to pay loan for her study, she live outside working, during college time pocket money also not enough, which i covered for her.
also please note they treat their daughter in very traditional daughter way.
it is not like i am not willing to give much, but they dont understand what did they give to her daughter ? which make me reluctant to follow they request.
they did not consider we need to fork out a lot of money, they only considered themselves. yes financial ability is much better than them but money are not meant to spent that way.

to me they are just selfish, very selfish. i never see parent who give empty hand when children open house/wedding.
my friends gf parent helps in financial and non financial when they buy/move house. which they never do so, furthermore complaint and talk cock when we finished our renovation like the house belonged to them.

so on fire and complaint like nobody business.