Beijing Wedding Reception Sparks Backlash

A controversy over the loss of traditional customs has been sparked on the Chinese Internet after a bridesmaid was seen offering the e-payment Alipay to wedding guests as a payment alternative.

The bridesmaid was seen wearing a QR code around her neck as she welcomed guests at the reception table last Saturday at the swanky Chateau De Luze, located nearby Beijing's Central Business District.

According to wedding guest Mr Wu, who posted photographs of the wedding online, the purpose of the QR code was to serve as a convenient Alipay alternative for guests who had forgetten to bring a hongbao (红包), a red envelope containing a gift of cash.

However, Chinese news reports say the bride's grandmother became upset at seeing the QR code because she thought it was inappropriate for a wedding.

The bridesmaid, a woman named Wang, told Xinhua that she thought of using the QR code because she isn't good with keeping tabs on money. Furthermore, Wang said her idea to use Alipay at the wedding was approved by the bride and groom who didn't find it inappropriate.

Wang said the QR code was never used. "I had it on for about half an hour, but no guest actually used the QR code because everyone had already brought hongbao with them," said Wang, adding that the money collected in the Alipay account of the QR code wasn't for her.

Some people were receptive to Wang's idea. "With one glance, people of the younger generation understood what it was for," said Wang. "Some people even told me that if they knew about it beforehand, they would have saved themselves the trouble of having to withdraw cash and manually putting it in a hongbao.

Unfortunately, e-payment systems can carry a negative connotation in China. Apparently, the bride's grandmother was offended by the QR code because she considered it to be tantamount to begging.

"The older people didn't understand," said Wang. "I explained when the bride's grandmother came over and asked about it. She didn't say anything at the time, but you could see by her expression that she was upset. When I heard later that she wasn't happy, I took off the QR code."

Wang said that although she didn't think anything was wrong with using the QR code at first, she now regrets her decision.

Electronic payment systems like Alipay have been readily adopted by Chinese urban residents where they are used for everything from buying street food to settling gambling debt. In fact, digital wallets have become so prevalent in China that beggars have begun accepting mobile payments by displaying QR codes in their begging bowls or around their necks.

Chinese Internet users were divided over the use of Alipay at a Chinese wedding.

Some people thought the appearance of Alipay at a Chinese wedding is a demonstration of society's progress. “What's unacceptable about this? This is just keeping up with the times,”

However, others objected. One person wrote, "This is not appropriate. Even if this method is new and novel, it's not appropriate when dealing with traditional customs. After all, China is a society based upon reason and etiquette."

Other people said that traditions are the way they are for a reason. "Money collected through a QR code can't be construed as a hongbao because it does not have its inherent meaning and associated happiness," said one person before adding, "Some traditions are best preserved." Another person agreed by saying, "Much the same as how a family is best when together, hongbao are best when they are bright red."

For others, the traditional meaning of what a hongbao actually means is something that is already lost. "It used to be that hongbao were regarded first as a symbol of happiness, and secondly for money. Nowadays, it's the opposite," wrote a netizen.

Images: Xinhua

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