Peggy Post disagrees with putting a price limit on a wedding gift ("There's no such thing as a dollar amount, " she says), but she does suggest basing the amount you spend on your affection for the bride and groom and their family.

CNN: Here comes the bride, there goes your wallet?

Both countries have a longstanding obsession with hierarchy (fancy job titles can be the key to getting a bride as well as the admiration of your friends).

ECONOMIST: Inflation in job titles is approaching Weimar levels