Sigh...these days.....getting married is like asking for a death wish. I'm against the ping kam and whatever tradition the chinese have. Don't get me wrong but I think that all these are being emphasised a little too much. So what if the groom side cannot come up with the amount? Does that mean that he's stingy? What if he's just money concious?

For me, what's the point of paying 6 ~12k? That's like 20% of my life's savings. Not to mention that I'm saving for a house and all. If I were to follow the tradition, i would be left with less than 50% of what I have and that's not exactly the future that I want. Money does not buy happiness but it certainly does help make things alot easier in the future. So really, please don't say that the groom side don't give face or the daughter is worthless. He's marrying you because you're one in a million to him and obviously he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Don't make this about how much the bride is worth or if he's willing to spend for you. Being together as one is more than just about how much money he's willing to spend.

There are certain things that are bounded by law, thus the need for registration but the need to give ping kam is another story by itself.