My wife has a friend who, every year, gathers a group of people to go out for her own birthday. She does the planning, she does the reservations, etc. My gripe... she does NOT say, "NO GIFTS!"

In my opinion, this woman must be related to MB, as I see this action as about as pretentious as can be. "Hey everyone, come celebrate ME, ME, ME!!! Bring gifts, too!!!"

What are your thoughts and feelings on celebrating adult birthdays? In my opinion, if you want to arrange something, I'm OK with that, but you MUST state to everyone, "ABSOLUTELY NO GIFTS!" Let's all go out, grab some drinks, and just use my birthday as an excuse to get away from reality for a second." If your friends want to arrange everything, then, and only then, would I see gifts as acceptable.

In my opinion, this woman must be related to MB

You're trying just a little too hard right now.

IggyPride00;1600302 wrote:You're trying just a little too hard right now.

OK.

I don't think she should have to say it.

To me it's kind of understood that after a certain age I don't expect to receive bday gifts from friends.

wildcats20;1600304 wrote:I don't think she should have to say it.

To me it's kind of understood that after a certain age I don't expect to receive bday gifts from friends.

I just wish you knew this woman. Every year, HER birthday is a big production, and the production is always put on by her. It's so annoying.

Unless it's a milestone birthday, it's weird to have adult birthday parties.

Al Bundy;1600306 wrote:Unless it's a milestone birthday, it's weird to have adult birthday parties.

Parties - I agree, completely.

Going out to drink heavily, demanding no gifts, and leave the kids at home with a babysitter - Bring it on!

ernest_t_bass;1600305 wrote:I just wish you knew this woman. Every year, HER birthday is a big production, and the production is always put on by her. It's so annoying.

I know people like that. Well into their 30s and they think every year they are turning 21 again.

I'll be 30 in October. We have a group of people getting a large cottage at Oglebay. It was my idea and took me making the reservations, but normally I don't give a shit about my bday. I've never been big on them celebrating for my bday. This will only be maybe the 3rd celebration I've ever had for my bday. Didn't even do anything for my 21st.

Women as a whole do not do the regular "bonding" type shit men do, so they manufacture reasons to get together...Bdays, baby showers, bridal showers, book club...etc, etc. Let the crazy bitch have her day.

wildcats20;1600304 wrote:I don't think she should have to say it.

To me it's kind of understood that after a certain age I don't expect to receive bday gifts from friends.

This. She sounds like a different case but I know with my friends we just go eat somewhere and have some drinks and go to the casino or something. Haven't done birthday gifts for years between friends, and I'm turning 29 this year.

Im ok with some adults celebrating their birthday every year but just don't ask me to buy you a gift .. you are an adult and not special anymore... you show be happy I show up and the food and drink better be good or next year you're on your own mofo

Does she pin a $1 bill to her shirt

I occasionally get coerced into birthday dinners where everyone orders what ever the fuck they want and we split the bill evenly. 95% it's heavily female involved. No logical male would organize such an event.

My friends and I try to celebrate all birthdays, even if they are not milestones. We are all relatively young with no kids, so it's easy for us. We actually try to get together several times/month for dinner or drinks, but we try to make birthdays something a little more fun. We went to a trampoline arena for mine this year, and we went to a batting cage/mini golf/arcade for my boyfriend's birthday last year. Sometimes it's karaoke, dueling pianos or a sporting event. Just something a little more "special."

As for gifts, it's not a requirement, but I do buy or make presents for my close friends. It's usually something off the wall and fun. I made a Goodwill trip and got my best friend a ton of Cleveland and Ohio State gear last year. I made a booze bouquet for someone once, and I had Pedo Bear cookies made for Mantooth one year. Just random stuff like that.

The pedo cookies are awesome in an apprpriate creepy kinda way.

Automatik;1600317 wrote:I occasionally get coerced into birthday dinners where everyone orders what ever the fuck they want and we split the bill evenly. 95% it's heavily female involved. No logical male would organize such an event.

There's an episode of Friends where they go out to dinner to celebrate something and do one bill and split it evenly and it always makes me go "Who the fuck would ever do that? It's the stupidest thing ever." I've never once been out with any group of people and had them decide to do that.

The "event" planned for this birthday is a "Wine and Canvas," where the ladies will sit around, drink wine, and paint. It's $35. If my wife even thinks about getting her anything for her birthday, many fucks will be given and expressed vocally.

Terry_Tate;1600349 wrote:There's an episode of Friends where they go out to dinner to celebrate something and do one bill and split it evenly and it always makes me go "Who the fuck would ever do that? It's the stupidest thing ever." I've never once been out with any group of people and had them decide to do that.

It's actually not bad depending on the situation. "NY split"... I've never heard of it until I moved here. The first time I got suckered in I was modest when ordering, while everyone else was doin it up. Then was like wtf?! when we paid. Now I know, order whatever and expect to drop $80-100. Regardless, I don't like having to do that for Bdays regularly and have to sit with 10+ people that I'd rather not converse with.

I don't think there could be any scenario where I'd like this retarded "NY Split."

When you're out and everyone doesn't give a fuck about they order to eat or drink? It's a simple concept for groups, makes for easy squaring up and paying the bill.

Automatik;1600358 wrote:When you're out and everyone doesn't give a fuck about they order to eat or drink? It's a simple concept for groups, makes for easy squaring up and paying the bill.

No. If I'm out, and I'm splurging, I only want to worry about what I am buying. I'm not paying 1 dime of what your eating, plain and simple. I don't even mind paying more than everyone else (for my own food), as long as I'm not paying for any of yours, and your not paying for any of mine.

Myself and friends are all in our 30's. The only time we have ever had like a "big" bday celebration was for anyone was at 30 and 35. Every other year it's just "hey lets lets get a babysitter and go out and have some fun for whoevers bday". Sounds like this chick ETB is hanging with is a real treat!

In Chicago, most places won't split your bill. No fucking idea why, but just the way it is unfortunately. So splitting the tab is something that I'm frequently dealing with and yes there is always that asshole who orders an extra drink and a meal $10 more expensive then anyone else's.

It's whatever though.

ETB it's $35 who cares, tell your wife to go and not to bring a gift. Or get her a $10 gift. Not going to break the bank.

ernest_t_bass;1600361 wrote:No. If I'm out, and I'm splurging, I only want to worry about what I am buying. I'm not paying 1 dime of what your eating, plain and simple. I don't even mind paying more than everyone else (for my own food), as long as I'm not paying for any of yours, and your not paying for any of mine.

Well if you're a bitter, miserable person this makes sense. Like I said, I'm not a fan of it, but if the situation arises....I dgaf.

Yes, I'm bitter and miserable.