Gift credit

July 14, 2008 - 11:32 PM by

We’re in the thick of the Israeli wedding season and wedding present methodology has just reached new heights of absurdity.

Wedding hosts can now rent an automated teller machine that takes guests’ credit cards, allowing them to punch in a shekel figure and leave a ‘gift’ for the bride and groom that is transferred into their bank account the next day. The machine, which is rented for NIS 500, even prints out a deposit slip for the guests who can sign a quick mazal tov and slip it in a box for the happy couple.

Talk about paying for your plate…but it’s not an altogether surprising step for the mass wedding industry in this country, where the guest list is long — think 400 to 600 — and the family goes into hock paying for the party. Moreover, the DJs are loud and the guests often start eating their chummous before the chuppah is over. And forget gifts; there’s always a box with a slit on top where checks are deposited and guarded over by one of the waiters.

wedding.jpgPersonally, I’ve yet to see one of these credit card machines in person, and am doubtful that the three weddings I’m attending this summer will have one. Then again, if you’ve forgotten your checkbook or are fearful that the bank will bounce your check because of an overdraft, the credit card solution could be just the answer.

Tags: , , , • Category: A New Reality, General, Israeliness 

Comments

5 Comments on Gift credit

  1. David-Joe on Tue, Jul 15th 2008 12:40 AM

    2. It is disgusting. When did weddings become a matter of money? Why should people be forced to perhaps contribute that which they feel they must but cannot afford.

    The 21st century world has turned its back on decency and morality and celebrates hedonism. It measures an individual not on their virtue but their materialism.

    In a world such as today, not only would the United States not be able to be founded and the Constitution created – what remains of it actually being respected – but Israel too could not be founded because the principles of the chalutzim are no longer even taught.

    A nation that forgets the reason for its existence is a nation in danger of losing its self-esteem. Given the “leaders” that Israel has today, it is clear just how weak we are.

    I never thought I would see a day when what happened against Hezballah would occur or when a town in Israel would be allowed to be destroyed by the enemy – Sderot.

    The blood of all the soldiers that lost their lives then, stain the immoral yellow hands of Olmert. He is a disgrace to Israel and Israelis ought to be ashamed of themselves.

  2. Imshin on Wed, Jul 16th 2008 8:28 AM

    3. I was brought up to believe that bringing a gift of money to a wedding was bad manners. I have long since freed myself from this prejudice. In Israel most people would much rather receive money, to spend as they like, than a toaster they neither want or need.

    And some people really do need the money to pay for the wedding. You may say that if they can’t afford it, they should have a smaller wedding. This is fine for you to say, but tell me this, if you have ten siblings (half of them married with children) and sixty first cousins (ditto), not to mention second and third cousins and hundreds of close friends, who are you going to NOT invite? And what if you really want everyone there to witness your happiness and be a part of it?

    The credit card idea is excellent. Not only does it save the happy couple the hassle of spending the morning after their wedding waiting in line at the bank, it is also safer. There have been quite a few violent robberies of brides and bridegrooms, on their way out of their wedding celebrations with bags full of cash and checks.

  3. Imshin on Wed, Jul 16th 2008 8:44 AM

    4. Erm, looking back at what I wrote above, I realize you have to double the family amounts – often both the bride and the groom have large families. I know a lot of people who have at least sixty to seventy participants at their Seder Night table every year, and that’s just immediate family.

  4. Jessica on Wed, Jul 16th 2008 9:06 AM

    5. I hear you. And particularly when the couple is young and has no money, cash makes sense. That said, you’re just left hoping that it goes to their bank account, and not to pay for the wedding.

  5. David-Joe on Thu, Jul 17th 2008 3:35 AM

    6. In the case of the family being a small tribe and affordability the issue have a small wedding – there is no sense in going into debt for a wedding – that is indeed meshuggah!

    People will understand.

    I have never felt honored or slighted over invitations.

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