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Wedding Etiquette Forum

Another dollar dance question

I've told my FI many times that I am against dollar dances. I do not want it and i think it's tacky. He said that it was up to me and if I didn't feel comfortable with it then that's fine. Now a few months later, he is telling me that he talked to his mom and his mom said that it's family tradition and to be prepared for it. I told him he'd have to tell them that it isn't happening. He got really defensive and he said it was messed up that i wasn't even considering his family traditions and what HE wanted. He also stated that in his culture that the groom dances the dollar dance with guest as well.

Well, we talked about it and he finally backed off the idea. I feel bad about it. He said all his family have always done it. But the majority of my family is coming from out of town and taking off work for the wedding. I just don't feel right including this in my wedding especially since they are spending so much money to come in the first place. His mom and him have both told me that I don't have to do it if I don't want to but be prepared that some of his family will do it even if i tell them no. What do i do? I don't want a problem on our wedding day but I know certain people in his family will do it. One of them is his grandfather who already can't stand me since i don't speak Spanish. He caused a scene at my FSIL in laws wedding and I am getting so much anxiety knowing he will cause a scene at mine as well if i refuse him? I'm just not comfortable with the idea of accepting cash for a dance with my family.

How do I handle this at my wedding? Make it clear to my family and most of his that this won't be happening and just accept my FI's grandfather? And how do I refuse this dollar dance but still let me FI and his family know that I respect their traditions?
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Re: Another dollar dance question

  • I've told my FI many times that I am against dollar dances. I do not want it and i think it's tacky. He said that it was up to me and if I didn't feel comfortable with it then that's fine. Now a few months later, he is telling me that he talked to his mom and his mom said that it's family tradition and to be prepared for it. I told him he'd have to tell them that it isn't happening. He got really defensive and he said it was messed up that i wasn't even considering his family traditions and what HE wanted. He also stated that in his culture that the groom dances the dollar dance with guest as well.

    Well, we talked about it and he finally backed off the idea. I feel bad about it. He said all his family have always done it. But the majority of my family is coming from out of town and taking off work for the wedding. I just don't feel right including this in my wedding especially since they are spending so much money to come in the first place. His mom and him have both told me that I don't have to do it if I don't want to but be prepared that some of his family will do it even if i tell them no. What do i do? I don't want a problem on our wedding day but I know certain people in his family will do it. One of them is his grandfather who already can't stand me since i don't speak Spanish. He caused a scene at my FSIL in laws wedding and I am getting so much anxiety knowing he will cause a scene at mine as well if i refuse him? I'm just not comfortable with the idea of accepting cash for a dance with my family.

    How do I handle this at my wedding? Make it clear to my family and most of his that this won't be happening and just accept my FI's grandfather? And how do I refuse this dollar dance but still let me FI and his family know that I respect their traditions?

    If someone was trying to force me to do this, I would say "No, thank you" and sit down.
  • I am sorry but this is one tradition that should not be respected.  And your FI is kind of acting like a little shit.

    With all that said just keep saying "no".  They will eventually get the point.

  • doeydodoeydo member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited September 2013
    If it is an important part of their culture/heritage and he wants to do it, I suppose you could either give out the dollar bills to your guests saying that it is for the dance.
    ETA Just to be clear, having an "authentic" one where you are literally asking your guests for money is against etiquette. 
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  • The person you really need to make it clear to is the DJ/emcee.  Make it absolutely crystal clear that you will not have this at your wedding, and if he breaks your rule it will be at his peril (tip and review wise).  you can't control family.  You can control your vendors.
    This.  Put it in your contract with these vendors that there is to be no money dance and no requests for it from any guests or family members are to be honored, and that there will be a financial penalty for not honoring it (preferably equal to the amount to be paid if there is a money dance).

    As for your FGFIL, just make clear to your FI and to any DOC and security that he is to leave you alone.
  • @grumbledore has a great suggestion to tell the DJ. If gramps appears with a dollar in his hand, just try not to accept the dollar but still dance with him. If would be worse for you to decline him make a scene over a dollar
  • Put it in your DJ's contract that if a dollar dance takes place, he will not be compensated.

    Also, tell your FI that you are not comfortable with it, and his #1 priority should be making his new wife comfortable on your wedding day.

    Tell him that if Grampy steps one toe out of line, you will have him removed from the building...and assign someone on your side to chaperone him.
  • Your FI should handle his grandfather, and make it clear to him that if he wants to attend the wedding, he must keep his opinions to himself.  Have someone assigned to take him home if he chooses to rudely start a scene.

    Agree with making the DJ or emcee financially responsible for aborting any dollar dance requests, I'm just not sure that any DJ would sign a contract with that clause in there. You don't want a pushy relative to start a scene with HIM over something that you and your FI made a decision on. I would have my FI make it perfectly clear to his family that the subject of a dollar dance is closed and will no longer be up for discussion, and if anyone attempts to start one, you and he will leave the reception. Just be prepared to actually do it. They're showing a serious lack of respect for you by continuing to push it on you.
  • Your FI should handle his grandfather, and make it clear to him that if he wants to attend the wedding, he must keep his opinions to himself.  Have someone assigned to take him home if he chooses to rudely start a scene.

    Agree with making the DJ or emcee financially responsible for aborting any dollar dance requests, I'm just not sure that any DJ would sign a contract with that clause in there. You don't want a pushy relative to start a scene with HIM over something that you and your FI made a decision on. I would have my FI make it perfectly clear to his family that the subject of a dollar dance is closed and will no longer be up for discussion, and if anyone attempts to start one, you and he will leave the reception. Just be prepared to actually do it. They're showing a serious lack of respect for you by continuing to push it on you.
    I don't think I'd go this far.  I do agree that the OP's FI needs to make it perfectly clear to his family that the subject of a dollar dance is closed, but they shouldn't have to walk out of their own reception to make that stick.  That would be inconsiderate of everyone else who isn't asking for a dollar dance.  Rather, I would reiterate with the MC or DJ that no requests for dollar dances are to be honored, with adverse financial consequences for not respecting this stipulation, and that they are to tell anyone who requests a dollar dance No.  If that person gets out of line, security can escort them out.
  • Put it in your DJ's contract that if a dollar dance takes place, he will not be compensated.

    Also, tell your FI that you are not comfortable with it, and his #1 priority should be making his new wife comfortable on your wedding day.

    Tell him that if Grampy steps one toe out of line, you will have him removed from the building...and assign someone on your side to chaperone him.
    Most vendors are paid in full about a week or so before the wedding, so he'll already have his money.  

    If he's a professional DJ, he'll put that on his do not play list and respect the wishes of the couple no matter how persistent guests are.  He is paid by the couple, not the guests.
  • Thank you all for the advice. I will say a simple no and tell my guest i would love to dance with them though. I was more concerned with my FI feeling like I am poo-pooing all over his traditions but I still feel too strongly about this subject. Thanks again ladies.
  • Are there other traditions of his that you could include besides this dance? I think it's perfectly acceptable for him to want his family traditions at the wedding, but not if it's something that makes you that uncomfortable. Including some other things though could be a nice compromise.
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  • I had a similar situation!

    I will preface this by saying that when asked about wedding planning details at the beginning, and at each stage, he says "I don't care, plan whatever."  I learned early on that he does care, he just doesn't know it until after a decision was made without him so I wait for his input before I proceed on anything to save myself the headache later.

    I hate anything fundraiser at a wedding. My fiancé originally said he didn't care. Then he told me I was taking the fun out of the wedding after he spoke to his mother. We compromised on the chicken dance. He was happy. Then his mother bitched about it to me (see the trend?). I did not comment.

    We've had a few arguments about the wedding (mostly caused by his mother) where fiancé used this against me and it made me laugh in the middle of one of them that this was his only support to show how I "controlled" the wedding planning details. I said if it's that important to him, he can do it. I'll watch. Somehow when he calmed down about whatever he was upset about and told  me he didn't care about it anyway.

     

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    You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.
  • Where I come from the dollar dance is definitely a tradition and nobody finds it offensive. It's something expected at a reception. In fact, I've never been to a reception where there wasn't a dollar dance! The lines are always long and people love it! It's all personal preference tho. If its not meaningful or traditional to you then by no means partake.
  • shelyg89 said:
    Where I come from the dollar dance is definitely a tradition and nobody finds it offensive. It's something expected at a reception. In fact, I've never been to a reception where there wasn't a dollar dance! The lines are always long and people love it! It's all personal preference tho. If its not meaningful or traditional to you then by no means partake.
    Tradition =/= Etiquette. Asking for money is rude and against etiquette. The dollar dance is soliciting money from guests. Just because lots of people do it doesn't make it proper etiquette (this is the etiquette board). Panhandling your guests with the dollar dance, money trees, honeymoon jars, fundraisers and other lipstick-on-a-pig begging is asking for money. Asking for money is rude and against etiquette. Proper etiquette is to host your guests - not ask them for money.
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  • It was a question on how to deal with a disagreeable situation. I was just pointing out that some people care more about tradition than proper etiquette. Guess that's why its important to be on the same page. Marriage is all about compromise ;)

  • I wouldnt compare slavery to a dollar dance, but to each their own!

  • The thing is, @shelyg89, on the etiquette board, we're going to give the answers that are correct by etiquette.
  • I believe there are different forms of etiquette all over the world. That was just my opinion and experience, and I respect those of others.
  • It's not that people don't respect your opinion. 

    Your opinion, lack of negativity towards dollar dances, and experience with dollar dances is totally fine, but it's still against etiquette and we're not going to advocate it when people are asking questions pertaining to etiquette.

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    You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.
  • Like i said, there are different forms of etiquette all over the world. If everyone had the same answer, there would be no need for boards like this.

  • shelyg89 said:

    Like i said, there are different forms of etiquette all over the world. If everyone had the same answer, there would be no need for boards like this.

    I'm curious, where are you from? Is there a reputable etiquette source (like Miss Manners or Emily Post) that condone asking people for money? If so, I'm all about learning about new cultures, but I've never read anything from a reputable etiquette source that asking people for money isn't rude. If you have, I'd love to know where it is. Do tell.
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  • Maybe some people just need to be more open minded. Hence, the purpose of conversation boards. Weddings aren't supposed to be about sarcastic arguing. Just trying to help. @SunriseAmber I'm sure your wedding will be great and memorable, keep your mind on what's truly important, which isnt "proper etiquette", it's just getting married, having fun, and celebrating with those who are there to support you, dollar dance or not. 

  • I am discussing ETIQUETTE. That is my view on etiquette. Which is why I feel it is ok to place it on the etiquette board. Sorry it doesn't fall into one of your books.

  • Tradition or no, it's not proper etiquette to shake down your guests for more money, which is really what the dollar dance is all about.
  • shelyg89 said:

    I am discussing ETIQUETTE. That is my view on etiquette. Which is why I feel it is ok to place it on the etiquette board. Sorry it doesn't fall into one of your books.

    Sorry but asking people for money is against etiquette - it's not a matter of opinion. If your opinion is that you don't agree with etiquette, you are more than welcome to that opinion. 

    Your post made it sound like you were promoting the idea that dollar dances were acceptable from an etiquette perspective, which they are not. It sounded like you were confusing something that may be a tradition with what is proper etiquette: 
    shelyg89 said:
    Where I come from the dollar dance is definitely a tradition and nobody finds it offensive. It's something expected at a reception. In fact, I've never been to a reception where there wasn't a dollar dance! The lines are always long and people love it! It's all personal preference tho. If its not meaningful or traditional to you then by no means partake.
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  • Most of the users on this etiquette board Are from mainstream cultures from USA,Canada, and UK . You are going to get answers on proper wedding etiquette in these regions. There is a cultures and theme board if you're looking for different opinions. Personally I am of a different culture but I frequent this etiquette board particularly to receive answers pertaining to proper american wedding etiquette.
  • OP - I too was concerned that family members would request or try to start a dollar dance, it being a "tradition" in our family that I loathe. No one tried. I had also asked the band not to let it happen. I wouldn't worry if I were you.
  • Proper ETIQUETTE (see, I can do all caps too!) states that you should do as much as possible to make all your guests feel like cherished friends and family members and not piggy banks to be broken open for money.  Why do you think etiquette is subjective and open to your opinion?  If you want to be rude to your friends and family, we can't stop you.  You can hate the rules of etiquette because they aren't convenient for you, that's your opinion. You can't change etiquette to suit your desires.  Etiquette is a constant, your opinion is the only variable here.
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