explanation of the etiquette question
So, I'm subscribed to "Etiquette Hell" which is a site that showcases the best and worst of humanity in all their rule-bound and rule-breaking glory.
And in the comments of one of the posts from the last month, I found this group of people saying it was impolite to host your own birthday party. Basically, that it was bigheaded, and saying "I am an awesome person, let's celebrate ME!"
To which I was (as pretty much everyone else who responded to this post): "...wtf, mate?"
However, as someone has pointed out, the issues seem to be around several points of etiquette:
1. That the party is a Big Deal - lots and lots of people, not just 'close friends'.
2. That birthday parties are for children, not adults, and that there's an element of "being the centre of the universe" - possibly not unrelated to the feeling behind the Bridezilla mentality: this day is all about ME!
3. The assumption that gifts are expected as part of your presence at the party.
Added up, throwing your own party can be seen as greedy and self-centered.
Certainly this isn't going to change my attempts to draw people together for something to celebrate my birthday, but it's an interesting insight into...well, social attitudes, expectations, and mentality.
And in the comments of one of the posts from the last month, I found this group of people saying it was impolite to host your own birthday party. Basically, that it was bigheaded, and saying "I am an awesome person, let's celebrate ME!"
To which I was (as pretty much everyone else who responded to this post): "...wtf, mate?"
However, as someone has pointed out, the issues seem to be around several points of etiquette:
1. That the party is a Big Deal - lots and lots of people, not just 'close friends'.
2. That birthday parties are for children, not adults, and that there's an element of "being the centre of the universe" - possibly not unrelated to the feeling behind the Bridezilla mentality: this day is all about ME!
3. The assumption that gifts are expected as part of your presence at the party.
Added up, throwing your own party can be seen as greedy and self-centered.
Certainly this isn't going to change my attempts to draw people together for something to celebrate my birthday, but it's an interesting insight into...well, social attitudes, expectations, and mentality.