Tell me why I should go to my 30th HS reunion

Youdon'tsay · 11-03-2009, 02:47 PM

I'll be direct: I hate the way I look right now and, thanks to Facebook, I've learned that I don't really want to connect to too many of my former classmates. I've already had to put two of them on "ignore" because I find their politics offensive, and I've become quite selective with who I'll even friend at this point.

I went to my 10th, skipped my 20th because of a conflict and because it was thrown together at the last minute and just didn't sound like a lot of fun. The 30th is next year.

Did you go to yours?

LongPrime · 11-03-2009, 02:52 PM

you betcha.

emeraldkity4 · 11-03-2009, 03:08 PM

I had my 30th in 1975- didn't go.
I haven't gone to any.
Seattle is a small town, many people I know travel in same circles, have similar interests/work, global justice,environmental- education- indie music/arts based.

The fact that I haven't run into anyone I went to high school with since I moved to Seattle in 1983 ( from the Eastside where I grew up) leads me to believe that they don't share any of my broad interests and I am not really motivated to spend an evening mystified by people who want to live a stereotyped shop and spend lifestyle like my sister in the burbs does, or have them fixated on how I look just the same- and not notice that I have changed on the inside- where it counts.

ucsd_ucla_dad · 11-03-2009, 03:25 PM

I haven't been to any and live nowhere near where I went to HS and doubt I'd know anyone at a reunion anyway and have never had a desire to go to one.

But you asked for a reason to go and also stated "I hate the way I look right now" and said that the reunion is next year so you could always use it as incentive to transform yourself from "hating the way you look" to "liking the way you look" whether it's a matter of accepting the way you currently are, losing weight, gaining weight, working out and toning up, or whatever is needed to get your mind into having a good self-image of yourself.

fauve · 11-03-2009, 03:37 PM

Cannot think of a reason for you to go.

If you are not friends with some of your old classmates, what enjoyment would there be? Listening to people report the mundane details of their lives: position, wealth, kids, or complaining about the lack thereof....does not sound like a fun evening!

Youdon'tsay · 11-03-2009, 03:43 PM

Yeah, I could, but I'm not motivated. Not motivated in day-to-day life and not motivated to "look better" for people I realize I don't have a lot in common with anyway. I have really enjoyed reconnecting with about 5 people from HS via Facebook. The rest, I wonder why they wanted to "friend" me and I'm sorry I accepted the request.

I know I sound like a curmudgeon. Truthfully, I LOVED HS, so don't think I have some kind of unresolved issues. I'm kind of surprised myself that I don't have a lot of desire to see all my old friends and relive the "good old days." But my life today just feels so far removed from my life then. It's funny to look on FB and see some of the women who still have BIG hair, just like the '70s and '80s. One guy has a shirtless pic of himself in those tight '70s shorts. Ewwwwww. I mean, he was definitely hawt back then, but really. I declined his friend request.

x-posted w/fauve

FallGirl · 11-03-2009, 03:45 PM

I live too far away from where I went to HS, so I have never attended a reunion.

However, my Dad started attending his HS reunions several years ago and says that people get nicer the longer they are away from high school. Dad has been on the committee for his last few reunions and now I hear that they want him to speak at next year's 60th (taking the place of the Class President who has passed away). This is my Dad who never attended any social event in high school, never dated, never joined a club or tried out for a team,etc.

So the moral of the story is: it is never too late to be popular in high school

intparent · 11-03-2009, 03:45 PM

I don't go to my own (too far to travel, am still in touch online with most of the friends I would want to see anyway). But I had a blast at my ex-husband's 25th! Sat with a few other spouses, turned out we were in the same line of work and had a lot in common. So even if you skip yours, you might have more fun at someone else's

fendrock · 11-03-2009, 04:38 PM

I reluctantly attended mine.

My high school was small (60 in my graduating class) and is overseas, and since the reunion was only a few hours drive, I thought if I was ever going to a reunion, this was the one to attend!

I had an EXCELLENT time, but most of that was probably related to the unusual nature of our school, resulting in our having an unusual bond that somehow withstood the years.

Of course, even then there were a few people I would've liked to have spent more time with, and many with whom I had absolutely nothing in common.

musicamusica · 11-03-2009, 04:58 PM

I hated high school then and hate the idea of going to a reunion now.
I became an exchange student to get away from those people and graduated early to start college at 17.
When I was contacted via facebook on the next reunion, I noticed that the same group of nasty cheerleaders who "ruled the roost" then are still running the show. I have fond memories of my youth, but none of them are connected with the institution known as high school. And though the temptation to rub a few noses into some of my modest success is very real, it is tempered by my reluctance to leave Southern California for the wilds of Detroit.

Do I sound bitter? naaawwwwwwwww

missypie · 11-03-2009, 05:11 PM

I went to my 20th - will never return. Boring. I had a huge class (800+) and knew very few people.

Quote:

However, my Dad started attending his HS reunions several years ago and says that people get nicer the longer they are away from high school.

Someone was just telling me the same thing last week - I think he said they start being fun around the 40th...kids are grown, career is what it is, nothing to prove...

I would like to go to a reunion of friends (spanning across several classes) from my main HS EC. From Facebook connections, sounds like I would still enjoy some of them. (But you're right about some people you find on Facebook not being worth finding.)

mousegray · 11-03-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

So the moral of the story is: it is never too late to be popular in high school

Fallgirl, thanks for that! It seems related to the 'small life' thread somehow..

Youdon'tsay, this is not to try to persuade you to go but here's a thought: if you don't go, you will confirm all your worst suspicions, but if you do, you might be pleasantly surprised. Of course, it could also confirm your worst suspicions.. but why shut doors prematurely? You must be considering it if you posted.

ingerp · 11-03-2009, 05:20 PM

My standard advice re: reunions is to go if it's convenient but do so with no expectations. You might find an interesting person or two, and might actually have some fun. If not, you can always duck out early and re-think in 5 or 10 years. (Might also increase the probability of having a good time if you pre-plan to meet up with some people there?)

frazzled1 · 11-03-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

I hated high school then and hate the idea of going to a reunion now.

musicamusica, you have great taste in movies, we share a love of Fred Astaire, and now this. Could you be more of a kindred spirit?

I got through hs telling myself that one day it would all be over and I'd never have to go back. And I'm not going back! There is absolutely nothing I care to reminisce about. The best part of being an adult - NO HIGH SCHOOL.

musicamusica · 11-03-2009, 05:42 PM

^OBVIOUSLY a woman of refined and exquisite taste.