Different wedding bells

"Weddings don't need to be extravagant spectacles, but they should reflect personal tastes and individuality." This has become the modern consensus among Gen Zers when it comes to planning their wedding ceremonies, and it is evident in their choices of food and decor.

Traditionally, alcoholic drinks have been staples at Chinese weddings. However, with concerns about guests driving and the growing symbolic significance of milk tea as a social token, it has recently emerged as a popular beverage choice for weddings.

Hey Tea is one of the go-to brands for milk tea, with its Chinese name "Xi Cha" featuring the character "xi", which symbolizes "happiness" in Chinese culture. Another favorite is Chagee, known for its elegant packaging in auspicious red, a color traditionally associated with luck.

Everyday snacks like latiao (spicy gluten strips), once considered too casual for wedding occasions, have also made their way into wedding festivities. For many couples, these spicy treats represent the exciting journey they're embarking on together, adding a playful touch to wedding candy and games.

As for wedding decor and accessories, an increasing number of young couples are incorporating elements from their hobbies, such as blind box figurines.

Xiaohongshu blogger "Tieguaixiaoli" shared with news site 36Kr that her bridesmaids' wrist flowers and the best men's corsages were crafted using figurines from the Molly Wedding Flower Girl collection, a popular IP from Pop Mart. "These figurines can continue to serve as home decorations after the wedding. Seeing them will bring back memories of this joyful experience," she said.

Take my place

In today's world, people can hire services for a variety of tasks, from walking dogs to playing video games. In Japan, a new service has emerged that allows individuals to hire someone to resign from their job on their behalf.

Resigning from a job has become increasingly challenging in Japan, primarily due to the country's labor supply-demand imbalance.

To reduce labor loss, many companies have added several steps to the resignation process. Employees wishing to resign must prepare a job description pamphlet for their successor, submit a resignation petition one to two months in advance, undergo rounds of interviews, and finally submit a formal resignation letter before informing colleagues.

In addition to this complex and time-consuming process, employees must also brace themselves for harsh language and potential threats from their superiors.

As a result, resignation agencies have become a growing industry, offering a way for employees to quit their jobs painlessly for a fee of 22,000 yen ($147). Once hired, the agency contacts the company to confirm the details, handles all necessary paperwork, and even packs and ships the client's personal belongings to a designated address.

By acting as a go-between for employers and employees, these services help individuals maintain their dignity in Japan's culture of tolerance and harmony.