tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post7257973966512036154..comments2024-03-29T13:11:25.325+01:00Comments on Living the life in Saint-Aignan: American birthday customsKen Broadhursthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-68670404011141968652007-05-22T08:06:00.000+02:002007-05-22T08:06:00.000+02:00I think the only time I ever threw a party for my ...I think the only time I ever threw a party for my birthday was when I turned fifty. One of my friends actually talked me into it and I hated the whole process, as I feel uncomfortable with more than six people around. But that's very unFrench or un-anything, it's just me. I swore that I'd never do it again, and never did. I even managed NOT to have people throw a retirement party for me. Didn't get a retirement present, and loved it ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-35403931472730516862007-05-22T07:14:00.000+02:002007-05-22T07:14:00.000+02:00I agree with Tempête, I prefer celebrating my birt...I agree with Tempête, I prefer celebrating my birthday with people who are dear to me than with colleagues even if I do appreciate a lot of my colleagues... I love inviting my friends at... the restaurant and having... dh paying for the bill, lol !!!<BR/><BR/>Some good friends always prepare what used to be called a "surprise party" in the 60's (now, as you say,the term is obsolete), i.e. they issue the invitations without telling their spouse about it... I'll always remember one of our good friends'40th birthday : her dh invited more than 50 people and asked everybody to cook something or buy a dish or bring a bottle of champagne, etc. His wife didn't know anything and believed she was going to attend a "repas de chasse" at a friend's so she didn't really dress up... She must have noticed the itinerary was a bit strange but didn't realize what was really awaiting her until she came into a huge dark "salle des fêtes" and suddenly saw more than 50 people clapping and singing "joyeux anniversaire" when the lights switched on all of a sudden... I'll always remember my friend with her small bouquet in her hands discovering the all of us... What a surprise for her !<BR/><BR/>At high school, we celebrate some birthdays but in a more or less discreet way... Voilà ! Bises et bonne journée ! MarieKen Broadhursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430899802705818716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-54980216694081443502007-05-18T11:12:00.000+02:002007-05-18T11:12:00.000+02:00I really do prefer the French way. You choose to h...I really do prefer the French way. You choose to have a good time with friends you like, they may not buy you something, it's not expected, but since these friends like you... they buy a token, sometimes it's a beautiful gift, sometimes it's something that will talk to you, something special!!! <BR/>It's better to have a good time than being with people who don't really care about you :D not that co-workers don't care, but they're not friends!!!Atlantelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16500279343691655630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-81208202047654431802007-05-17T22:52:00.000+02:002007-05-17T22:52:00.000+02:00I celebrated my birthday by inviting about 30 peop...I celebrated my birthday by inviting about 30 people to a reception at a fine local hotel. It was my 70th. The invitation said it was a birthday party to help me celebrate, but no gifts, please. It was a lot of fun. Cheers. GabbyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-58545213731605150742007-05-17T20:38:00.000+02:002007-05-17T20:38:00.000+02:00I'm with you. I would prefer that everyone forget...I'm with you. I would prefer that everyone forget my birthday forever. In fact I think it would be downright thoughtful of them to discreetly ignore it even if they do remember it.<BR/><BR/>And I with I could issue one simple worldwide notice of apology for all the birthday wishes I've failed to give. There are surely hundreds of them.<BR/><BR/>An interesting cultural difference. Again you are on target.Papadesdeuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11629184020220545924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18071407.post-32525947716877614022007-05-17T16:32:00.000+02:002007-05-17T16:32:00.000+02:00Another way to throw a birthday party for yourself...Another way to throw a birthday party for yourself (generally for a milestone birthday, say, when you turn 40) is to have your spouse or relative or good friend issue the invitations, even if it's at your house. <BR/><BR/>The person issuing the invitations figures out a nice way to put "no gifts" on the invitation. Then, if you're lucky, your guests just bring you cards or flowers.chrissouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00398602853402174732noreply@blogger.com