Different ethnicities and kids birthday parties

Savvy_Sue

One question is whether perhaps the children don't speak English at home, and don't pass on invitations if Mum can't read them.

I found tear-off slips useful, and giving my phone number, but even with mostly 'traditional' families felt I was doing well to get many replies! And it gets worse as they get older ...

woody01

"Mainly" would be 51% to 49% and downwards, so they clearly do. Are you bored or just stupid?

Yes i was bored but just pointing out that if the 'ethnic' population of an area is THAT high, it clearly isn't an affluent area.

With that in mind, it is blatant you are the stupid one.

seven-day-weekend

When my son was young, his best friend was a boy from a Muslim family. They played in each other's houses all the time and although my son would eat in his friend's house, the Muslim boy would never eat in mine, even after they had both grown up. The boy's dad would sometimes visit our house, but not eat or drink anything.

I never asked why,I just accepted that they did not want to, but it may have been to do with the food not being halal.

I agree with some of the other posters, that maybe the parents didn't understand the invitations, nor know what RSVP meant.

Counting_Pennies_2

From personal experience, one of the parents doesn't speak or write particularly well, so it might be a case of trying to talk face to face, in pigeon English just to check they have the invite.

For anyone who doesn't respond to party invites I always chase up with a call, I never want any surprises on the day!

In terms of food, I always write on the invites requests for dietry requirements. We have nut and dairy allergies and a Jew in the class, so I make up separate food boxes for them, so I would expect the families to do the same if it is religious needs.

I do find that children of different religions have an adaptability through their parents. Their religion might say no sausages i.e. pork, but up to a certain age their religion says be flexible. The teachings of my friend's child gives a certain age as a guideline to be flexible. So there are definitely flexibilities out there.

Lunar_Eclipse

woody01 wrote: »

Yes i was bored but just pointing out that if the 'ethnic' population of an area is THAT high, it clearly isn't an affluent area.

With that in mind, it is blatant you are the stupid one.

Is there a correlation? I certainly wouldn't be assuming anyone of ethnic origin wasn't affluent, from my own experiences.

I also think you're both incorrect to some degree, but will refrain from writing 'stupid' since it's a bit heavy on the insult as far as this point goes. The OP referred to the area being mainly white. Thus 51% and upwards would constitute mainly in this respect, not downwards.

We live in a very affluent, predominantly white area as described by the OP. There is one school in the area favoured by a small Muslim community which would have similar ethnic ratios to those described, so I think it's possible the OP is being quite truthtful.

No additional tips to add to the OP, but I really like your way of thinking.

patchwork_cat

woody01 wrote: »

Yes i was bored but just pointing out that if the 'ethnic' population of an area is THAT high, it clearly isn't an affluent area.

With that in mind, it is blatant you are the stupid one.

What an assumption - some of the most affluent people I know are Asian.

I am concerned though and see why prejudice is happening if eg Muslim children are not being allowed to attend the birthday parties of their non-muslim friends. Birthdays and parties in this country are an integral part of our culture and as such if a whole section of the community is not attending then they are not integrating sufficently.

I really do feel that if you move to a country you do have to take on some of that countries traditions wihtout compromising your own - so if you don't want to celebrate your children's birthdays as it means one year closer to death then fine, but you let your children attend others birthday parties (or at least send a reply as to not is very rude) and perhaps have a reciprocating invitation for something else that you do celebrate. Fine if you want to cover your arms, but don't judge others because they have differnet beliefs.

woody01

Is there a correlation? I certainly wouldn't be assuming anyone of ethnic origin wasn't affluent, from my own experiences.

I didn't assume anything. You have read was was put and assumed it meant something entirely different.
Of course ethnic people can be affluent and i said nothing to suggest otherwise.

What i did say is that an area with a very high non indigenous population is almost certainly not going to be an affluent area.
I may have a different view of what affluent constitutes than others. For example, i wouldn't say owning a 3 Bed Semi and earning £40K a year is affluent, whereas in some of the cheap parts of the UK, that is probably bordering on royalty.

eckythump

what day of the week are the parties on O.P?
In the last house we lived in we had wonderful Asian neighbours both sides and every Sunday they had very large gatherings of extended family for lunch.
we often wondered how so many people fit into a small terraced house.
maybe they are not attending as the parents have other commitments and cannot chaperone.

Counting_Pennies_2

Please stop nit picking.

The OP is after constructive advice. Please take your argument elsewhere!

MrsE_2

I read this thread yesterday & thought it odd.

When my DD was at primary school she had McDonald's parties (very chic 15-20 years ago).
I just invited the whole class.
Didn't break them up into ethnic groups.....
They were all just children.

Didn't analyse the turn up ethnic mix either...