Paying (A) Guest for an ‘Extra’ innings @ Shaadi.Con

Is this a wedding or a movie shooting? (via)

The BBC has a report about the new trend of hiring ‘educated’ guests for weddings. The next time you attend a wedding, if you happen to spot a well dressed person clueless about what is going on there, he/she could very well be a ‘paid’ guest. ‘Body Shopping’ has got an all new meaning now. Looks like my Shattered Accountant qualification will finally be put to some use. If you are paid to eat food and stare at the camera, why would anybody say no?

"If there are lots of guests who come to your wedding, people think you have greater influence and greater prestige in society," he said. "Sometimes people can't afford to travel far, or people just don't have enough time. That's when we step in."

Some of the guests for hire are students, but others are doctors, chartered accountants, and other professionals.

"You might wonder why doctors want to come," Mr Syed said. "But I suppose they don't mind having a nice evening out, and I pay them well." The amount charged per guest is varied according to what Mr Syed described as the "level" required, and how smartly it is wished that they dress. Three categories are offered, with the highest - at around 600 rupees - being be-suited guests who are tall, well-built, light-skinned and who can converse well.

Mr Syed said that he has been contacted by families from far outside the state, including Bangalore, Calcutta and even Dubai.

"My people are well-trained," he added. "We brief them specifically on each and every point about the family. "The hired guests first go and spend some time with them, so that they know the style and atmosphere of the home. Then they behave accordingly. "That's the reason why I've helped in 10 marriages so far - and not one of my guests has ever been found out."