One guide talked about the Turkish custom of giving substantial cash to newlyweds: “I make between $500 and $1000 per month. If I were invited to a wedding, I would have to give at least $200 to the couple or people would talk about me.”
We learned later that the president and prime minister of Turkey had taken advantage of this custom by inviting nearly 5000 people to their childrens’ weddings, raking in literally $millions from distinguished and wealthy guests (who could be expected to give $thousands).