I have read so many rude and judgemental comments about the dollar dance. Just to let everyone know that it is not a part of my culture or traditions so I will not be doing one but I do understand them.
I have been to greek weddings and seen them done. Did I personally go up to the groom and pin money on him, no. Did I judge the couple? No. It's their tradition. No one is asking you or forcing you to dance with the bride and groom to give them money. It definitely cannot be seen on the par as having a cash bar or anything. This is about family members being generous and giving the couple a little extra money.
I'm sure those of you that have actually seen them done will notice that the people participating in this custom do it happily. They pin the money on them or sometimes they even have the money attached together ahead of time (which shows that the guests. probably didn't even have to open their wallets).
There are so many traditions: Jews and the Hora and the chair lifting, Italians and the Tarantella. Could these be excluding and awkward if people aren't familiar with them, yes! But you have the choice to join in or not. Husbands lifting up their wife's dress and pulling down her garter is a also a tradition. Classy!
There is no need to say that something is tacky or gauche just because you wouldn't do it. This dance has nothing to do with etiquacy as you are not being forced by your hosts to give them money.
And something else...marriage is about compromise. Does my future husband want to have a first dance and be gawked at by our family and friends (especially since they don't really do this in his country) no, not really. Will he do it for me, yes. If he asked me to do a dollar dance, would I? Yes. Marriage should be about accepting your new family's traditions. Could you imagine if my FI said celebrating thanksgiving in Italy is ridiculous and he doesn't want to celebrate it with me?
Ok. I'm done. Obviously I'm bored today.
