Keeping Up Appearances

After reading the story about Lin Miaoke, Yang Peiyi and the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony, many things came to my mind, including Mrs. Bucket (pronounced bouquet for those who don't know), but that's another matter. The things that China did to present a flawless opening event to the world, are actually not much different from what I see happening in Ghana when it's time for the dead to be buried, or for a couple to be married. I will stick to the lighter side and focus on weddings.

Ama says to Mansa, "You should have been at Esi's wedding! You really missed out! A Mercedes, a five-tier cake, seven bridesmaids, seven groomsmen, a little bride, and a page boy! And there were so many people! I can't wait to be at yours. I know your folks will make a 'show'!" This is the point where Mansa should quickly tell Ama that her parents do not subscribe to these ideas and that she and her man cannot really afford such glamour. Instead, she goes off thinking about ways to convince Mr. Man that they need to outdo Esi.

Eventually, Mansa's wedding day arrives and, yes, Esi's wedding can't compare. It's a fairytale come true. The decor, the bridal party, the limo (which by the way doesn't fit into her parents' front yard), the horse, and the seven-tier cake are just mere trimmings. There are lights everywhere, everyone has more than enough to eat and drink, and we all go home.

A week later, the creditors of Mansa and Mr. Man show up and the fights start.
"Well, it was your idea!"
"But you didn't actually say no!"
"Do you expect me to use all of my salary to settle these debts?"
"What will we eat?"

A distraught Mansa meets Esi one day and asks, "How did you manage to pay all the debts after your wedding?"
"Debts? What debts?" asks a surprised Esi. "It was just my aunts and cousins in England who all wanted to be part of the wedding. I couldn't say no and they all chipped in a little bit to make my day special."

What did that ad say? IMAGE IS NOTHING. THIRST IS EVERYTHING. OBEY YOUR THIRST. DRINK SPRITE.

Would Mansa and Mr. Man have been any less married if they had gone for what their pockets could provide, like four witnesses and a registrar?

And by the way, I think Yang Peiyi is actually cuter. See http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24169753-5014197,00.html