Adult Birthday Celebrations

Serious Business 81 replies 3,717 views
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 8:32am
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.
IggyPride00's avatar
IggyPride00
Posts: 6,482
Apr 3, 2014 8:35am
In my opinion, this woman must be related to MB
You're trying just a little too hard right now.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 8:40am
IggyPride00;1600302 wrote:You're trying just a little too hard right now.
OK.
wildcats20's avatar
wildcats20
Posts: 27,794
Apr 3, 2014 8:42am
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.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 8:47am
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.
A
Al Bundy
Posts: 4,180
Apr 3, 2014 8:49am
Unless it's a milestone birthday, it's weird to have adult birthday parties.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 8:51am
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!
wildcats20's avatar
wildcats20
Posts: 27,794
Apr 3, 2014 8:52am
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.
T
Tiernan
Posts: 13,021
Apr 3, 2014 8:57am
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.
Terry_Tate's avatar
Terry_Tate
Posts: 7,606
Apr 3, 2014 9:11am
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.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Apr 3, 2014 9:16am
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
S
sportchampps
Posts: 7,361
Apr 3, 2014 9:21am
Does she pin a $1 bill to her shirt
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Apr 3, 2014 9:22am
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.
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Apr 3, 2014 9:29am
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.



Devils Advocate's avatar
Devils Advocate
Posts: 4,539
Apr 3, 2014 10:05am
The pedo cookies are awesome in an apprpriate creepy kinda way.
Terry_Tate's avatar
Terry_Tate
Posts: 7,606
Apr 3, 2014 10:16am
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.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 10:23am
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.
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Apr 3, 2014 10:33am
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.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 10:36am
I don't think there could be any scenario where I'd like this retarded "NY Split."
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Apr 3, 2014 10:39am
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.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 10:42am
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.
vdubb96's avatar
vdubb96
Posts: 2,210
Apr 3, 2014 10:42am
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!
SportsAndLady's avatar
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Apr 3, 2014 10:42am
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.
Automatik's avatar
Automatik
Posts: 14,632
Apr 3, 2014 10:45am
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.
ernest_t_bass's avatar
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Apr 3, 2014 10:47am
Yes, I'm bitter and miserable.