{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/b2fb5f0b-0ce7-4e5c-b6e0-9b1febd06aea/67efef59506c6c628cd9448a?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Four weddings and a baby shower: the financial pressure of too many invites ","description":"<p>A reader wrote to Trish Murphy’s Tell Me About It column looking for advice for a problem that she says is driving her crazy and taking over her life. In the past two years, she has been invited to eight <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/weddings\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">weddings</a>, eight hen parties and now baby showers too.</p><p><br></p><p>Her main issue is the expense - her spending on average for a hen party and wedding tips €3,000 and she is trying to save for a house. And as a single person she finds the cost really difficult.</p><p><br></p><p>And her friends are constantly trying to fix her up with a partner – which is more annoying than helpful.</p><p><br></p><p>But why doesn’t she simply say no. Can her friend group handle the truth? And why are Irish weddings so extravagant?</p><p><br></p><p>Is the ability to say ‘no’ a part of our Irish character? Why are we so reluctant to speak plainly?</p><p><br></p><p>Murphy is a psychotherapist and she tells In the News how she answered the reader and why weddings are such a flashpoint for friendships.</p><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Irish Times"}