<p>Weird. My niece is one of 3 girls. She & her H are expecting and had hoped it would be a girl. It will be a boy–they are adjusting. </p>
<p>My folks didn’t say anything about what they wanted for grankids. We had the 1st grandS, after 2 older grandDs. They seem to treat all as equally as possible. My BIL is a bit sad as he is the only S of an only S & they had only 3 Ds–no one to carry on the family name, unless one of the Ds gets married & has H keep HER family last name & name any kiddos with that last name.</p>
<p>I just read a fascinating book on the subject of missing girls called “Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls.” and one of the most interesting aspects to me was at the end when the author was discussing the fact that upwards of 75% of patients in the US using sperm sorting or other methods to determine gender actually choose girls.</p>
<p>Mn, that’s interesting. I haven’t seen any of that at any of my jobs or social circle. I think I have to pay closer attention… if anything, the gender seems to be an afterthought.</p>
<p>This is interesting because my grandparents really wanted a girl. It’s the only reason my mom’s here.</p>
<p>The newest trend are these gender-reveal parties for expectant parents, whereby they have a party towards the end of the pregnancy and announce in some creative way that it’s going to be a boy / going to be a girl. How self-absorbed is that? If you want to tell us ahead of time, fine; if you want us all to wait, fine - but please, don’t think that it’s SUCH exciting news that you need to throw a party just to announce it.</p>
<p>I thought of this thread SO often this weekend, as DH and I were guests at the lovely way-out-of-the-city (as in private island (you can fly in or you can boat in, but you can’t get there otherwise–about 500 houses on the island)) house of old friends–perfect hosts! We hadn’t been there in years AND THEY INVITED THE PUPPY TO COME TOO. (“Would you like to bring the puppy?” (and leave the other dogs home—which was not said but implied).) </p>
<p>They met us at the mainland dock. We arrived with groceries, lots of wine, and plans to take them out to dinner one night (a boat ride to another island). The puppy behaved well; I cut back the vegetation along the path to the beach; DH fixed their internet wireless connection; we stripped the bed, vacuumed the house, and cleaned the bathroom when we left. I think we were good guests, although I did NOT offer to fill the tank of the boat (180 gallons!). It was an amazing weekend and I hope they have us back!</p>
<p>I had a friend do that recently. They had a little problem… the bakery mixed up their cake with another couple! They found out when they cut into it and there were black streaks in it which was supposed to signify the race of the dad. My friend is Caucasion…</p>
<p>*The newest trend are these gender-reveal parties for expectant parents, whereby they have a party towards the end of the pregnancy and announce in some creative way that it’s going to be a boy / going to be a girl. How self-absorbed is that? If you want to tell us ahead of time, fine; if you want us all to wait, fine - but please, don’t think that it’s SUCH exciting news that you need to throw a party just to announce it.
*</p>
<p>Yes, very self-absorbed. One of my H’s nieces did this ridiculously detailed blog about her pregnancy, home birth (with graphic pics!), etc, and expected (demanded) that we look and post comments all throughout the pregnancy and birth</p>
<p>It was so self-absorbed and really distasteful. </p>
<p>Yes, we’re all happy for the new family addition and grateful that mom and baby are doing fine, but really.</p>
<p>My mom and sister recent went to my cousin’s baby shower and came back with a list of things I’m never allowed to do at a baby shower. Something about a purse game was on that list. </p>
<p>Here’s one for you that I heard about from a friend. I was recently invited to a dinner at Olive Garden for an secret reason. I couldn’t go because of work. Turns out the couple got engaged and this was their announcement dinner. She ordered a bunch of wine to celebrate. </p>
<p>When it came time to pay, she got very offended when no one offered to pay for her and her fiancee. She thought everyone would treat her to dinner because it was HER day. They all offered to split the wine even though none of the people there really wanted it in the first place.</p>
<p>This is the same person who set up a donation site to help pay her rent and then a few months later went on vacation in Japan for three weeks.</p>
<p>Her younger sister ended up picking up the tab to stop her sister from crying. It was a $100+ bill and younger sister is a struggling nursing student.</p>
<p>garland, you beat me to it! I had a lovely time reading the story this morning and wondering which of the posters here had hosted the obnoxious young woman!</p>
<p>I wasn’t the host for this one but I think it qualifies anyway.
I attended a charity event at the home of a friend. Our host asked a member of one of the HS sports teams to vacate his seat for me. Said teenager’s parent objected saying, “We don’t believe in such things” and “teenagers deserve respect too”. The host simply stared pointedly at the teenager until he sheepishly gave up his seat. I was in the middle of chemotherapy, bald and weak as a kitten, a fact that would be obvious to anyone who had bothered to look me in the face before taking immediate offense.</p>
<p>The newest trend are these gender-reveal parties for expectant parents, whereby they have a party towards the end of the pregnancy and announce in some creative way that it’s going to be a boy / going to be a girl. How self-absorbed is that? If you want to tell us ahead of time, fine; if you want us all to wait, fine - but please, don’t think that it’s SUCH exciting news that you need to throw a party just to announce it. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></p>
<p>I’m going to be so embarrassed if any of mine ever do that.</p>
<p>That parent wouldn’t have wanted to say that around my extended family or most parents/grandparents in my old NYC neighborhood. </p>
<p>Regarding seats…the rule of thumb was that first priority for seats goes to those with disabilities, elderly, pregnant, or parents with little kids. If one’s an older elementary school aged kid(8-10) - middle aged and there weren’t enough seats…we’d all be expected to stand without complaint.</p>
<p>What’s up with people throwing house warming parties for themselves and registering for gifts for the event? My mom was invited to one given for a young woman’s first apartment. In the invitation was a sheet giving links to gift registries. First apartments are supposed to be furnished with hand me downs and stuff from yard sales.</p>
<p>In all the house warming parties I’ve been invited to, the only thing the host asks us to bring is food, drinks, and sometimes dessert. </p>
<p>They’ve also turned down my joking offer to bring firewood, sticks, and some sausages/hot dogs/marshmellows with good humor.*</p>
<ul>
<li>Joke references something which actually happened in the freshman dorm of a HS classmate while I was visiting him. Some bright geniuses decided it was a good idea to have a campfire with all of those things…IN THEIR DORMROOM. The RA took us to the actual room in question right after the fire department dealt with it. There were still some sticks with half-cooked hotdogs and marshmellows around the campfire area. Wondered if they also sang Kum-ba-yah while they were at it.</li>
</ul>
<p>Know what would be fun? Everyone has to bring a joke to share at the party! (no campfires though unless they’re in the fire pit in the back yard)</p>
<p>One friend has a monthly pot-luck/get-together where we’re supposed to bring one joke, poem, prose, or a song/music to perform in front of the group. Last few times, I played my electric guitar…much to their chagrin. :D</p>
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