The majority (80%) of Korean workers feel obligated to give cash gifts or condolence money to their colleagues to mark birthdays, weddings, and even funerals, according to a survey from job board Job Korea, reports Joins.com.

The survey found that the average spend per person per event was KRW 76,280 (USD 73).

Giving money instead of gifts is a long-standing tradition in Korea. The chief purpose, according to The Korea Herald, is to help cover expenses, and stems from the custom of poomasi, meaning the helping hand people would offer their neighbours during the busy farming season. 

More than 85% of survey respondents said they felt either burdened or extremely burdened by the customary cash gifts. Less than 1% responded that it wasn’t burdensome.

The biggest proportion (40%) of respondents said they contributed in order to receive their own cash gifts in future. About a third (31%) felt obligated to pay because of their relationships with their colleagues.

People most begrudged giving cash gifts for weddings (65.9%), followed by funerals (48.7%), and for a baby’s first birthday (33.9%), known locally as “dol” celebrations.