It’s usually customary for guests to gift newlyweds angpaus (red packets) as a way to celebrate the joyous occasion, as well as help “soften” the impact of wedding costs.
A woman was left feeling dismayed and hurt after she found out that a close friend called her out on social media just because the angpau she gave wasn’t up to par with the “market rate”.
Known each other for 15 years
In an anonymous post, the OP said she and her friend had known each other for 15 years, and had gone through both happy and bitter moments together since Form 1.
When her friend announced she was getting married, the OP was genuinely happy for her and decided to attend the wedding.
Lavish wedding
According to the OP, her friend’s soon-to-be husband came from a wealthy family and the wedding was held at a five-star hotel within the heart of KL.
On top of that, she claimed each table cost RM3,000 and a live band was even hired to greet guests at the main entrance.
The OP added that she personally spent RM200 on a new dress, hairdo, makeup, and e-hailing rides to and from from the hotel just to attend the wedding.
Gave RM150 angpau
The OP said she didn’t earn much from her job and often had little savings left after paying for her car loan, rent, and allowance for her mother
“I really struggled when deciding how much angpau money I should give as nowadays the “market rate” is at least RM250 or RM300.
But I genuinely felt that a 15-year friendship shouldn’t be judged purely by an angpau’s amount and eventually settled for RM150,” she wrote.
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out the way she envisioned.
‘If you can’t afford it, don’t come!’
One night, the OP was scrolling through Instagram when she stumbled upon her friend’s Story post, which had the following text:
“It’s 2026 already. I wonder what’s going through the minds of those who give RM150 at a five-star hotel wedding. If your budget isn’t enough, you don’t have to come. No need to make things awkward for everyone.”
Sensing that the jibe was directed at her, the OP privately asked two other friends who attended the wedding how much angpau money they gave.
When she discovered that they had given RM250 and RM300 respectively, the OP broke down in tears.
“I cried not because of the RM150, but because I never thought a 15-year friendship could be measured based on money.
“If my friend thought it was too little, she could have told me privately. Why must she indirectly call me out on social media?”
Unfriended
The OP also expressed resentment over the situation, saying that she shouldn’t be compelled to help cover wedding costs with their angpaus since her friend chose to have an extravagant setup.
She also added that she “unfollowed” her friend on social media following the incident, saying that the latter never once reached out to her, leaving her to wonder whether their friendship was simply a facade.
READ ALSO:
