"People Who Won't Watch Anyway"... Office Workers Sympathize with 'Congratulatory Money Stories'

Futile... "Neither Giving Nor Receiving"

Amid ongoing debates about congratulatory money, a post titled "I haven't given congratulatory money at my coworkers' weddings for 4 years" has become a hot topic.

Recently, a post titled "A coworker who doesn't give congratulatory money because they won't see them anyway" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, explained that due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of guests, he had not attended weddings but only sent congratulatory money. Later, Mr. A realized that the total amount he had sent over time amounted to several million won.

After hearing Mr. A's story, coworker Mr. B said, "If I had collected that money, I could have paid off my car loan," adding, "I don't attend weddings because I won't see those people anyway." Mr. B explained, "Women quit their jobs after marriage, and men either transfer departments or change jobs without even saying thank you," and "Since they quit, they are not people I will see, so I didn't give congratulatory money."

He continued, "I also gave congratulatory money at first, but none of those people kept in touch, and when my parents passed away, none of them came. No one even sent condolence money, so I thought it was pointless and haven't given any for over 4 years." Mr. A concluded the post by saying he regretted it, admitting, "That's true, so I wish I had lived like that too."

Netizens expressed sympathy with Mr. B's stance. One netizen said, "That's wise. Most people you stop seeing anyway," while another commented, "If you've received something, it's right to give back, but in that situation, I wouldn't give either."