In my family, you generally did not celebrate your birthday once you were 18 years old (the drinking age at the time). I guess 21 would count now.

It seemed - well, childish. A birthday MEANS something when you're turning 6 - not so much when you're turning 31. For milestone birthdays like 40 or 50, maybe we went out for dinner - but that's it.

I don't know if it's younger people or maybe I am just now noticing (due to social media) but it seems that LOTS of adults insist on GIANT birthday celebrations. These multi-day, rolling celebration of - what, the person? It's a celebration of ME? An excuse for a spotlight on yourself? I just don't understand.

My son's girlfriend made sure he knew what was expected for her upcoming birthday - the dinners, parties, bar events. She had a whole week of activities lined up that he was supposed to coordinate. In his infinite wisdom, he thought about it overnight and dropped her the next day. (smart boy).

Is this a modern phenomenon? Am I just out of touch? When I'm asked "what do you want for your SPECIAL DAY" I have no idea what to say other than let me sleep late. I just don't care and think it's silly for an adult to go hog wild for their birthday.

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Am I just out of touch?

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Hmmmmm....

Maybe you should stop lurking around the birthday parties of tween girls and not worry about other people.

I could care less about bdays. However, last year for my 30th, the SO threw me a surprise party with close friends and family at our house. It was a blast and meant a lot. But I dont even care about going somewhere nice for my bday. It's just another day.

Same. My gf threw me a surprise 30th and it was awesome. But otherwise I would have just been content to go out for pizza with her.

if you're young (20's), it's just an excuse to party. Nothing wrong with that.

I couldn't care less. Lots of people I work with take off on their birthday and throw parties and such. Never understood it. Didn't have birthday parties as a kid and don't need them now. I've gone to surprise b-day things for friends and that's how some like it. Doesn't bother me. I just prefer to not have a big shindig. If anything, I'd rather spend my birthday hiking alone in the mountains somewhere with a dog and gf

My last birthday I spent with coworkers and friends at a Christmas party. I typically just like to have a dinner or something with close friends and family and then maybe go see a movie.

But yes, I have noticed that trend.

Always found adult birthdays where the person having the birthday planned everything so odd...
Especially asking for gifts.

I get surprises and gatherings.... but not that. Feels like a low tech go fund me.

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I could care less. Lots of people I work with take off on their birthday and throw parties and such. Never understood it. Didn't have birthday parties as a kid and don't need them now. I've gone to surprise b-day things for friends and that's how some like it. Doesn't bother me. I just prefer to not have a big shindig. If anything, I'd rather spend my birthday hiking alone in the mountains somewhere with a dog and gf

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So you do care.

Sorry pet peeve of mine. The phrase you were looking for is couldn't care less

Last two bdays I've been home I went to Pluckers with friends. Nbd

I hate it when people do things that I don't do. They are stupid.

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I could care less. Lots of people I work with take off on their birthday and throw parties and such. Never understood it. Didn't have birthday parties as a kid and don't need them now. I've gone to surprise b-day things for friends and that's how some like it. Doesn't bother me. I just prefer to not have a big shindig. If anything, I'd rather spend my birthday hiking alone in the mountains somewhere with a dog and gf

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So you do care.

Sorry pet peeve of mine. The phrase you were looking for is couldn't care less

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Both of these phrases in our language are idioms that mean exactly the same thing: that you don't care.

The very best thing about BD's is that they are so much better than any alternative.

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Am I just out of touch?

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Hmmmmm....

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?fb

I love to celebrate my birthday, and yeah, it's because it's "ME" day. And there's not a thing wrong with that.

Having said that, it's usually not an out-of-hand thing - dinner and stuff with my wife, lunch with cake and cards with the extended family, happy hour with friends.

Milestone birthdays - 40, 50, 60, etc. - deserve bigger celebrations as that number goes up.

OP--I am officially old, but my husband and I are from the generation that adult birthdays are essentially family affairs to be celebrated among the family. For example, maybe a favorite homemade meal and dessert. If that makes us out of touch, then the Jones can keep on celebrating and snapping selfies.

I celebrate mine with family, meaning we go to dinner and I get a few presents. Also cake. Week long celebrations and events are a bit much, but I don't see a problem with acknowledging the day.

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I could care less. Lots of people I work with take off on their birthday and throw parties and such. Never understood it. Didn't have birthday parties as a kid and don't need them now. I've gone to surprise b-day things for friends and that's how some like it. Doesn't bother me. I just prefer to not have a big shindig. If anything, I'd rather spend my birthday hiking alone in the mountains somewhere with a dog and gf

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So you do care.

Sorry pet peeve of mine. The phrase you were looking for is couldn't care less

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Both of these phrases in our language are idioms that mean exactly the same thing: that you don't care.

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Pretty sure one is a correct phrase, and the other is people misspeaking.

You need to post your sons exes tits

I hate you

histag is correct...

couldn't care less = care as little as possible

Could care less = care somewhat

(It's a pet peeve of mine as well)

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I could care less. Lots of people I work with take off on their birthday and throw parties and such. Never understood it. Didn't have birthday parties as a kid and don't need them now. I've gone to surprise b-day things for friends and that's how some like it. Doesn't bother me. I just prefer to not have a big shindig. If anything, I'd rather spend my birthday hiking alone in the mountains somewhere with a dog and gf

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So you do care.

Sorry pet peeve of mine. The phrase you were looking for is couldn't care less

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Both of these phrases in our language are idioms that mean exactly the same thing: that you don't care.

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They actually mean different things.

I couldn't care less = I do not care.

I could care less = meh.

but but... his profile says hes an editor, so he must be right!

More importantly...

Rule 1 on the son's ex!

I just ask for cash instead

No need for fancy "partys"

$100 minimum

WBT, is it possible that they actually broke up because she had sex with him, and he couldnt marry her anymore?

I haven't celebrated my birthday since I started working at age 14. The best gift that year was an onion for my belt.

Spent my 30th this year at Andersonville Prison in Georgia and not getting drunk like I wanted.

I freaking love celebrating people's birthdays. It's like a whole excuse to show a person how much your care about them and want to celebrate their being. How cool is that??

I don't really plan stuff for myself on my own though. That kinda seems odd. IF I did it would be a house party just to be like "hey guys, I like you. Thanks for being my buddies."

So what does it say about your absence at my bday dinner?

We just do dinner with family and maybe a few very close friends. No gifts expected or given, except

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if you're young (20's), it's just an excuse to party. Nothing wrong with that.

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I have never really been into partying in the "drink way too much" sense, but why pass on the chance to do something fun with good friends? Last year I went to Ninfa's and the Astros game, and it was awesome.

I did miss one friend's celebration last weekend, but he wanted to go go-karting during the football game, so that's on him.