Birthdays: What do normal people do?

Torry_Quine

supersaver2 wrote: »

You can't think of 'anything' more annoying or horrible' than being treated by your loved ones on your Birthday?! Really! I could think of a hundred worse things, death of a loved one, redundancy, terminal illness etc

We are nice to each other every day of the day, Birthdays are just that bit more special and a reason to be spoilt with a little present or 2 and a special meal maybe. Maybe your family can afford that treatment every day but mine can't! Do you have kids, are their birthdays treated as just a normal day as well? I don't understand your point of view to be honest, it doesn't have to be either or situation, nice year with family, a bit extra on birthdays.

I would be so angry if my loved ones didn't make my birthday special. It doesn't have to cost much but it's the one day of the year that is just for you.

supersaver2

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I would be so angry if my loved ones didn't make my birthday special. It doesn't have to cost much but it's the one day of the year that is just for you.

My girls would be very cross as well! I'm not to bothered about my Birthday, but enjoy spoiling my wife and daughter! It was my wife's Birthday last week and I went downstairs after she was asleep and put bunting in the front room and a few balloons, my wife's face was a picture in the morning (after her special breakfast in bed of course!) Just a little token to show I had thought about her special day and it didn't cost much to do.

pigpen

supersaver2 wrote: »

You can't think of 'anything' more annoying or horrible' than being treated by your loved ones on your Birthday?! Really! I could think of a hundred worse things, death of a loved one, redundancy, terminal illness etc

You specified being treated special on your birthday which is what my comment referred to.. which was blatantly obvious to me.. and no I cannot think of anything worse than being singled out and humiliated by others making a fuss of just another day in the life of.. I am far from a shy and retiring wallflower type yet I find this kind of attention awful... I am in fact one of those in your face, annoying, centre of attention types.

We are nice to each other every day of the day, Birthdays are just that bit more special and a reason to be spoilt with a little present or 2 and a special meal maybe. Maybe your family can afford that treatment every day but mine can't! Do you have kids, are their birthdays treated as just a normal day as well? I don't understand your point of view to be honest, it doesn't have to be either or situation, nice year with family, a bit extra on birthdays.

Plenty of people don't have the time or resources to do meals out every day etc.. but it would be MORE special and meaningful if someone said they had booked to take me out or just bought me a gift because they saw it and thought of me or because they wanted to spend time with me rather than it being.. oh boring.. it's their birthday again I suppose I should make an effort'

And yes the children birthdays are treated pretty much as any other day too.. be have a cake IF they want one.. and they have gifts, nothing extravagant. I NEVER buy anyone cards.

Maybe it has something to do with the time of year of peoples birthdays.. I know that is one of the reasons I hate mine.

I have NEVER been out to mark my birthday either.. not ever. Not for a meal or a drink or anything.

*max*

pigpen wrote: »

Plenty of people don't have the time or resources to do meals out every day etc.. but it would be MORE special and meaningful if someone said they had booked to take me out or just bought me a gift because they saw it and thought of me or because they wanted to spend time with me rather than it being.. oh boring.. it's their birthday again I suppose I should make an effort'

If your "friends" or family have that attitude about your birthday, I doubt they think very highly of you in the first place tbh! Believe it or not, some people actually enjoy making their loved ones happy, everyday AND on special occasions.[/COLOR]

And yes the children birthdays are treated pretty much as any other day too.. be have a cake IF they want one.. and they have gifts, nothing extravagant. I NEVER buy anyone cards.

Maybe it has something to do with the time of year of peoples birthdays.. I know that is one of the reasons I hate mine.

I have NEVER been out to mark my birthday either.. not ever. Not for a meal or a drink or anything.

Since you see being treated on your birthday as being "humiliated" (I mean REALLY???), I can see why people have never done anything special for you. If I did something for someone and it was received with that level of disgust, I certainly wouldn't be doing it twice. Mind you, they wouldn't remain my friends very long anyway. :cool:

Torry_Quine

*max* wrote: »

Since you see being treated on your birthday as being "humiliated" (I mean REALLY???), I can see why people have never done anything special for you. If I did something for someone and it was received with that level of disgust, I certainly wouldn't be doing it twice. Mind you, they wouldn't remain my friends very long anyway. :cool:

It's said it's better to give than to receive and sometimes it can be nice to let someone do something good for you but obviously not everyone appreciates that sentiment. It's the children I feel for.

pigpen

I've never seen friends on my birthday, not even as a child.. nor do I exchange gifts with them so that's not an issue. My family have known me a long while so accept my feelings .. I do think a lot of it is down to when birthdays are... My cousin loves hers 31st December.. everyone wants to go out and party.

On my birthday I am exhausted.. I clean the house prepare food for the house invaders ( my mother sisters and older children.. affectionate term, we are all house invaders) who come round, eat, make mess and leave.. then I clean again... I'm usually in bed by 10 lol. The last few years have seen a screaming row with the childrens dad too.. just to make me feel really special.

Torry_Quine wrote: »

It's said it's better to give than to receive and sometimes it can be nice to let someone do something good for you but obviously not everyone appreciates that sentiment. It's the children I feel for.

I LOVE buying/making/treating the ones I love.. but I do that all the time.

marisco_2

supersaver2 wrote: »

I find it rather sad to hear some people just don't bother, lots of misery in the world, who wouldn' like to be spoilt once year by their nearest and dearest!

There are different ways of spoiling people though. Knowing someone's preference and doing something for them, that they will appreciate and remember will make their birthday special. Decorations, presents and cards whilst nice for some, doesn't necessarily need to come into it for others, who would prefer just to see friends or loved ones and do something casual

alyth

not everyone has family or friends to celebrate their birthday with. It's been very long time since I celebrated, even my 40th I just spent the day at home on my own, I have no family of my own, my brother who lives down south who did sent me a very special present, but other than that nothing. last year I didn't even realise it was my birthday until I logged into facebook! Without sounding sad or pathetic I don't have friends to celebrate birthdays or christmas with - through choice - and I so much prefer that than having a huge fuss made.

Spendless

pigpen wrote: »

Maybe it has something to do with the time of year of peoples birthdays.. I know that is one of the reasons I hate mine.

What date is it out of interest? My guess is that it's one that is already distinguished on the calendar as being one that people regard as special eg christmas eve.

MarilynMonroe_2

Just another day for me, lucky if I get a card. No real excitement anymore or build up to it.