"Not a Buffet but Galbitang for Friend's Wedding Meal" Complaints
Netizens Debate... "Better" vs "Insincere"
A story about attending a friend's wedding and giving a congratulatory gift of 100,000 won but receiving galbitang (beef rib soup) as a meal has sparked a heated debate.
On the 22nd, a post titled "Isn't it too much to serve galbitang at a friend's wedding?" was uploaded on an online community. As of 7 p.m. on the 23rd, the post had recorded 15,400 views, becoming a major topic. The author, Mr. A, who attended a friend's wedding, said, "My friend got married on Saturday and is now on their honeymoon, but they served galbitang at the wedding," starting the story.
Mr. A said, "My friends said the galbitang was fine and only delicious, defending the friend who got married," and asked, "I gave 100,000 won as a congratulatory gift, but I didn't like eating galbitang. Am I the strange one?"
Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "I dislike buffets, so galbitang is better," "As I get older, sitting down to eat galbitang is much better," "If your friends say it's okay but you alone think it's not, then you are the strange one," "Traditionally, wedding food is supposed to be noodles. No matter how much you give as a congratulatory gift, you should just be thankful and eat what is served," and "Criticizing food at someone else's celebration is rude behavior."
On the other hand, some netizens said, "I can't eat galbitang, so buffet is much better," "Galbitang feels like a lack of sincerity," "The bride probably didn't check well," and "Maybe they substituted galbitang to save on the congratulatory gift."
This is not the first time there has been a debate over wedding meal hospitality. Previously, in 2019, a story about being upset after being served galbitang at a friend's wedding also became a hot topic. In 2021, a post titled "Recent controversy over wedding galbitang" surpassed 30,000 views among netizens, with the general sentiment favoring galbitang over buffet.
Meanwhile, according to the "Ordinary People's Financial Life Report" published by Shinhan Bank on the 17th, the amount of congratulatory money given at acquaintances' weddings varies depending on attendance and the wedding venue. The most common response for those who only sent an envelope without attending was 50,000 won, while the majority said they gave 100,000 won when attending in person. The average congratulatory amount was surveyed to be 110,000 won.
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