dangit, before you posted i was all about to post “ya know, it would be scarier of the OP were titled ‘So, I’m anal and i LIKE surprises.’” Drats!!!
So I’m trying to remember any time when people went to all the trouble of planning a party for me, on their own, without my having to even mention that it was my birthday. Trying…and failing.
Y’all must really hate to know/be related to such horrible people who go out of their way to try to do something nice for you.
Come on, Rilch. Read the thread again. The OP said that he DOESN’T like surprises. His friend knows this full well and basically tells him he’s “no fun” because of it.
YOU like surprises. YOU like parties. So have 'em! Yippie! But people who don’t like something (surprises, parties, singing Happy Birthday) should be able to say no and have it stick.
Some people get very anxious when they stand up and speak in front of a room- being the center of attention brings out severe anxiety in them. Others feel the same way about surprises. No one is saying the people who want to give the party are “horrible people”, we’re saying if you KNOW someone doesn’t care for something, don’t force it on them or ridicule them for it. It’s pretty simple.
Oh, no, we all love our family and friends madly and think it’s wonderful of them to care about us. Some of us just wish their caring extended to realizing that letting us have our birthdays the way WE like it will bring us much more pleasure – and therefore make them feel better too!
Fair enough. Just needed to get that off my chest. I’m done now.
:::Rilchiam tiptoes out…
:::hides behind door…
SURPRISE!!!
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
(I like surprises, so thanks!)
You realize, of course, that we have the same complaint. Our family and friends profess to care very much for us and yet don’t care enough to respect our own wishes for our birthdays. A birthday is supposedly about the person whose birthday it is, and supposedly is all about their desires. And yet family and friends see it more as something for THEM, rather than the individual.
I do have some friends who listen, BTW. When I got married, I let it be known to all that I didn’t want a bachelor party, and lo and behold, I DIDN’T get one!
They offered, I said no, all was well with the world.