cambodian wedding

[jason]

I guess this is a question for TehBorken, or whomever else would know.  I was invited to a cambodian wedding.  I eat noodle soup at this (what I thought/think is) vietnamese restaurant near my work.  I tell everyone that it's my favorite restaurant, and it probably is, at least in this country.
  Anyway, the family that owns it is very nice, and the wife(I don't know her name, really!) is pretty nice to me, and we talk a lot when I'm in there, if she isn't busy.  They are all pretty friendly, actually.  Anyway- one day, her and her sister-in-law(I think) were folding envelopes... I asked what they were- I really thought it was advertising- but they were wedding invitations.  And the wife asked me if I would like to come to a cambodian wedding, in April.  I'm a fool for placing myself in awkward situations, so of course, I said, "Yes!! Thank you!"  Her brother is getting married.

  Hmmm... so I'm pretty sure it will be a traditional cambodian wedding- my questions are:  

  Suit?  
  What about a gift?
  What food should I pounce on?
  What food should I steer clear of?
  What should I look for, as far as where to sit, and such?
 
  I'm really going out on a limb, here... I know nothing of their culture, and really want to make sure that she doesn't regret inviting me.  Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.
 

[TehBorken]

 jason wrote:
 Hmmm... so I'm pretty sure it will be a traditional cambodian wedding- my questions are:  

 Suit?  
 What about a gift?
 What food should I pounce on?
 What food should I steer clear of?
 What should I look for, as far as where to sit, and such?
 
[ol][li]Yeah, I'd definitely wear a suit.
 [/li][li]I'm sure a gift would be appreciated; if you don't know them well enough to get something you know they'd like, maybe a gift card would be a good choice. It's also  traditional to give a little "good luck" money in an envelope, from what I've seen. The envelopes I've seen are red or white and often have some sort of message on them.[/li][li]As far as food goes, you're on your own.  Try everything, you may be surprised. Stay away from things with tentacles. lol[/li][li]I'd guess they'd arrange seating, but I have no idea if there's someplace in particular that people are supposed to sit.. [/li][/ol]

[49er]

If you are giving money, do not use a white envelope........white is associated with death in chinese and could be also in other asian cultures.  Use red envelope to be safe.

[jason]

 Thanks.  I'd like to surprise them, by not being completely ignorant.  The red or white(or red and white?)envelope with money is a great heads up.  And as far as gifts, yeah, a gift card would be the way to go.  I know the food will probably be ridiculous good.  I can't wait.  

[jason]

thanks for the tips- It was an amazing experience.  The food was incredible, everyone there was sooo kind, and happy, good greif, they were happy!  
  It was one of those experiences that was so amazing, it went by in a blur(and I didn't drink).  The bride and groom changed clothes about 3 times... come to think of it, all the girls in the wedding party changed clothes at least once.  I was made to get up and dance countless times, and loved it, even though I'm not really the 'dancing' type.  There were numerous songs played where everyone danced in a big circle, counter-clockwise, sort of slowly... I don't know.  I managed to stumble along and not hurt anyone.  And the women were absolutely *gorgeous*  OMG!  And I can't believe how friendly everyone was.  It was a celebration on a level I've never experienced before.  

  Towards the end of the dinner, the bride and groom went from table to table, collecting the gift envelopes.  The antics some of the tables put them through, to get the envelopes, were hilarious.  I vaguely remember the bride having to push two eggs up the pantlegs of the groom...  

  Anyway.  thanks.
 

[Lise]

Glad you had a good time there, Jason.

[P.C.]

  What an awesome experience jason !!!  [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="vny!://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/c014.gif" border=0]

[purelife]

That sounds like a lot of PURE FUN FUN FUN!  Glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience, jason.