Totally agree with you! My parents wanted to give me just cash transferred to my account apart from the gold & plot. But some of the family friends with a similar background as my in laws… suggested they wont like it and it will all be a mess…
My parents did not take a penny from my bhabi’s family. My mom clearly told her mom that we want nothing and have no demands. If you want to give your daughter anything, you can go ahead. But we dont want anything except our bahu.
And that is the way it should be. If in laws want something, it is better to talk it out n ask for it straight forward rather than nag about it after the marriage.
If they don’t want anything, they should mention it clearly and VERY clearly.
I know of some people who did not even want the girl’s parents to give anything to the girl also. Though I find that weird. I am sure all parents want to give their daughters loadz of stuff. They should have the right to choose to give to their daughter whatever they want.
Anyway, it is better such issues are discussed VERY openly between both the families in advance.