The 'not your birthday present' tradition my M.I.L started

[daviddei]

@fleshisweak yeah, i know what common practice means. from my experience its one grandma in every 10th family or so that does it sometimes...so about ~1% of people do it sometimes/irregulary?

maybe there are regional differences, germany still has many many varying regional customs, i wouldn't rule out that it's indeed common in some places but surely not in the whole country

 

[super_gurl_1987]

@daviddei One in ten is 10%

 

[becausegodlovesus]

@super_gurl_1987 That checks out.

 

[daviddei]

@super_gurl_1987 only one person per family handing out non-birthday-presents, so with about 10 ppl per family (witch is a rather low estimate) only one of 100 people is doing it

 

[super_gurl_1987]

@daviddei Sure, but it's happening (by your estimate) in 10 percent of families. Which is what would lead to it being considered common or not.

There's only one Santa Claus handing out presents on Christmas, but the concept of getting presents from Santa is far more common.

 

[daviddei]

@super_gurl_1987 thats an interesting interpretation that i do not share

 

[becausegodlovesus]

@katrina2017 My mom was saying they used to do a similar thing in The Netherlands where people would congratulate you on your sibling/mom/dad/partner's birthday.

 

[jackiecline]

@katrina2017 That's interesting to read, actually. Is there a reason why?

 

[ineedtovent24]

@jackiecline There are lots of cultures where the expectation is to receive gifts from the birthday person on their birthday.

 

[katrina2017]

@jackiecline Bruh I am happy to just eat the Cake

 

[katrina2017]

@jackiecline Kids are always going to be disappointed on a siblings birthday. Little gifts help alleviate that. It's not going to damage them, everyone grows out of wanting a huge fuss anyway.

It's not unhealthy, but it is extra work and expense. If your family is operating at the edge already, then fair enough. If you have the resources to facilitate it, then I don't see how it's a problem

 

[princekay4]

@jackiecline Holy shit I can’t believe this is a thing. Sorry man, you sound like you’re being more than reasonable about it. Shit’s ridiculous.

 

[thankful2]

@jackiecline That shit annoys me, it just takes away from all kids. The non-bday kids are being robbed of their experience to deal with not being the center of attention.