I heard an interview this evening about how the wedding industry is being affected by the various tariffs being placed on imports from various countries (primarily China). I certainly did not know that 90% of all bridal gowns sold in the USA are imported from China. Considering the ridiculous prices that people pay for that (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime dress that will be worn for a maximum of eight hours, I was thinking that it might be cheaper to fly to China, buy a dress for $50 and return home with the dress of your dreams. I am aware that the gemach business spares many from spending outrageous amounts of dresses, but believe me, many opt for the “original” that no one else has seen prior to the big day. Wines, beers and liquors are also coming from various countries and their prices as well will apparently soon be over the top.

In my life, tariffs are a daily occurrence in a totally different way. As 98% of our money is in Canada I often think about everything I buy here in the USA and the fact that it is costing me at least 30% more than what anyone else is paying. Yay for the Canadian dollar, which has been horribly low on the market for quite a while. We are all hoping and praying that Mark Carney will lose the leadership of the Liberal Party in Canada next week and our new premier, leader of the Conservative party Pierre Poilievre, will take over the helm of the Canadian government. By the way, Mr. Poilievre is a good friend to the Jews and Mr. Carney does not have that reputation. (sadly, Carney won – insert sad face here)

Returning to tariffs, as I said, privately I have become used to them but certainly anything that goes up here will affect all of us and me even more so.

I began to think once again about the severity of this issue and what people can do to not be as affected by the high amounts they are being charged for things. Does anyone remember the days of COVID? It really was not that long ago, yet it seems to me that everything talked about as being special and the lessons that we could all learn from different aspects of that time have been forgotten. Yes, one of our grandsons had his bar mitzvah in his backyard with 11 men attending the minyan. There were four women. Was he any the worse for it? His friends drove by to stop and say Mazel Tov on Friday afternoon and everyone received a Dunkin’ doughnut with a picture of the bar mitzvah boy on it (prepackaged, of course). I vouch for the fact that his parents saved a good deal of money and that he was none the worse for celebrating in this way.

Remember the weddings, where at one point the state of New Jersey allowed 50 people maximum and then went up to 100 people? We celebrated a grandson’s wedding where everyone danced holding hula hoops between them instead of hands. All tables were separated (not men from women) and one can be certain that every single person attending that simcha was there because they knew the baalei simcha closely and were thrilled to be celebrating with them.

So, what’s the lesson we learned from this? In my estimation the general public did not learn much.

If people are really so worried about the excessive costs of so many things, why not cut down? Do we really need to have 500 people at a wedding? I guess that I could conjure up a list of knowing that many people, but if I count those I am close with, without insulting anyone let’s say it would be 30-50. (I actually think that is too many.) Again, as I have said in the past, mention that a wedding is in Lakewood or the Sands and the word for anyone who is not close is “Oy, such a pain” and then they leave directly after the chuppah or perhaps the first dance so that they can eat the first course. How about doing something as ridiculous as only having a smorgasbord and dessert at a wedding?

If the prices of clothing are really going up, how about buying less-expensive items? I am very careful whom I mention Burlington Coat Factory to when asked where one can get great bargains. Some look at me as though I am totally nuts and how demeaning it would be to walk into that store. Let’s face it. For most that is what they enjoy the most!

Let’s not forget the amount of liquor that is consumed at a simcha and even at the Shabbat table in our homes. The first time I saw men kvelling over a particular bottle of scotch, which I then found out cost $150, I nearly choked (on water). I then found out that the amount mentioned is really not that expensive! The amount and variety of wines that people are so excited about must be putting a large dent into their budgets.

Please, I totally understand if you are not affected by the increase in prices of almost everything. Enjoy gezunt a heit. But I beseech all of you who are complaining about how the prices of almost everything are going up, including groceries, and then in the next breath proceed to talk about the fantastic meal shared by a couple in an upscale restaurant, which came to $350-500 for two. Honestly I have no sympathy for you.

I will pledge, bli neder, to not speak about tariffs in the future but I do know that for many the wedding season is coming up. Do not bite off more than you can chew unless you can afford it. Imagine that one could be very well-respected for doing something they can afford rather than something that will put them into debt for who knows how long. Blame it on the tariffs!

Nina welcomes any comments. She cares a good deal about many.