It's been week number three of being back in Cambodia and I've spent most of that time with my GF's family in the middle of absolutely nowhere in Kampong Cham province. Asside from there not being running water, her brother that demolished my moto and the mosquitos that are sucking me dry (and someother small issues) it's been rather relaxing and peaceful...
...so far. Until yesterday. Yesterday our neighbors hired a dozen people or so, to build tents and set up the sound system for todays wedding. That sound system has been testing my patience ever since.What is it with Khmer festivities that convince them to ALWAYS blast the entire neighborhood with horrible music? Surely, the people you invited and who want to come know what's up, so why do you insist on making your party an issue for everybody else.Why can't you turn down the music at least a little bit. I wager the music wouldn't even be so awful if the Khmers didn't insist on turning the volume so high that the speakers distort the sound, but I'm rambling. Sorry.I need something to get my mind off this crap. This ain't the first time I've witnessed this kind of ceremony, but before I've always had the luxury of being able to leave.

Who knows. Maybe I'm just a whiney Westerner, but when I asked my missus about whether she liked this at her wedding (she was married before but her husband passed away) she said "No". That is the thing; it's difficult for me to imagine that they find this very enjoyable themselves so why do they do it? Is it just tradition? Is there more to it? I don't know. Or maybe annoyingly loud music that is being played over shitty speakers that can't handle the volume and distort the sound are just the best thing ever and I'm just a stupid Barang that doesn't know how to organize an enjoyable party.

More important to look/sound like you are having a fun time than actually having one.

In the meantime good luck - and don't forget your earplugs next visit.

Congratulations. Better you than me.

Welcome back to the kingdom......it's only 24 hours....

I was just thinking today that maybe sometime I'll find the guy with the best (efficient, smaller mass to move fast sound system and wake em up BLASTING Shine On You Crazy Diamond, followed by MachineGun and maybe some Raw Power. Just to get in my two cents. Not that I'd do it it where I live

Jacket wrote:It's been week number three of being back in Cambodia and I've spent most of that time with my GF's family in the middle of absolutely nowhere in Kampong Cham province. Asside from there not being running water, her brother that demolished my moto and the mosquitos that are sucking me dry (and someother small issues) it's been rather relaxing and peaceful...
...so far. Until yesterday. Yesterday our neighbors hired a dozen people or so, to build tents and set up the sound system for todays wedding. That sound system has been testing my patience ever since.What is it with Khmer festivities that convince them to ALWAYS blast the entire neighborhood with horrible music? Surely, the people you invited and who want to come know what's up, so why do you insist on making your party an issue for everybody else.Why can't you turn down the music at least a little bit. I wager the music wouldn't even be so awful if the Khmers didn't insist on turning the volume so high that the speakers distort the sound, but I'm rambling. Sorry.I need something to get my mind off this crap. This ain't the first time I've witnessed this kind of ceremony, but before I've always had the luxury of being able to leave.

Who knows. Maybe I'm just a whiney Westerner, but when I asked my missus about whether she liked this at her wedding (she was married before but her husband passed away) she said "No". That is the thing; it's difficult for me to imagine that they find this very enjoyable themselves so why do they do it? Is it just tradition? Is there more to it? I don't know. Or maybe annoyingly loud music that is being played over shitty speakers that can't handle the volume and distort the sound are just the best thing ever and I'm just a stupid Barang that doesn't know how to organize an enjoyable party.

(IMHO) You should not have complained about it if you decided to marry Khmer girl. In the Rome you should do what The Romans do. Actaully those songs are really important for our trandition. They are the most meaningful songs. i wish there was someone had translated or told you the meaning of the songs. Ok let's me give you a brief of those songs. Those songs are all about the life after marriage and they teach both bride and groom about how to live together peacefully and etc. i think she lied you when she said she didn't like those songs or perhaps she didn't want to upset you.