Cambodian weddings

Cambodian weddings are a lot like the American wedding I have been to, but a little bit different.

First, if there was a ceremony with some justice of the law presiding, I missed it. I entered in at the reception part of the wedding, along with everyone else I knew who was invited.

To set the scene, this is the wedding for the sister of the hotel’s department head of housekeeping. Granted the head of housekeeping and I are good friends, but in my book that is not relationship enough to be invited to a sister’s wedding. However, all the other department heads had been invited, along with most of the housekeeping staff, so I shrugged and joined the party. Needless to say this was a big wedding.

We enter into a large, open-air restaurant, where a greeting line of fifteen welcome us and handed out wedding favors. So far the only difference I noticed was in dress. The men were in more casual wear than American weddings. A few were donning impractical suits, but most wore slacks and long-sleeve shirts rolled to the elbow. I felt a bit underdressed in a short-sleeve shirt, but at least it was practical. (Plus, I don’t own any long-sleeve shirts.)

The women are more astonishing in their dress. Every woman seems to have five layers of make-up to accompany their sparkling, sequined dresses. The effect turned mildly attractive people into prom queens and highly attractive people into drag queens. The over-the-top costuming reminded me instantly of Thai lady-boys (cross-dressers/transvestites).

When I caught sight of the head of housekeeping, I truly did not recognize her. She had fake eyelashes from eyebrow to nose. Her hair was tightly bound in a sphere. To top it off, all visible skin twinkled with glitter. Whether that was eye shadow that missed the spot or the effect of many cans of hair spray, I do not know. As we continued to talk, I had to tell myself that it was in fact the same person I saw at work every day.

Mercifully, talking was kept to a minimum, as the main event was eating and drinking. Within moments of sitting down, a plate of antipasto arrived. Simultaneously, drinks were passed out. Women mostly chose soft drinks. The men drank beer. There was a bottle of whiskey on the table, which I selected. I did not select it because I wanted to get drunk faster or harder, but because I know how the game is played.

The men fill their glasses with beer and ice. They sip the glass occasionally. Then after a few minutes they decide the glass has stayed long enough, they raise the glass to cheer and then proceed to clear the contents. This game continued through five plates of food. I avoided the peer-pressure by holding onto a glass of whiskey and soda.

After the food was finished, some people ventured on the dance floor where a band was playing all the karaoke favorites (Khmer favorites, not Western). I danced a little, but just like Western weddings most people shy away from dancing.

After a few songs, we headed to the door where the unanimous gift was money. Small envelopes are provided, and a decorative mailbox allows you to slip the money inside. I dropped in my envelope of money and headed out the door with my friends.

All in all, the experience was as fun as any wedding I have been to in America. As they say here sometimes, “same, same, but different.”