Stick in the mud, Party of one

[jfh]

My friend is planning his wife's 40th birthday party. The party is not a surprise, but the surprise part is that he's asking all the guests to do some sort of performance - singing, joke telling, storytelling, etc. So it will essentially be a big old-person talent show. He's setting up a little stage in the backyard and renting a sound system. The idea is to show her that 40 is "just the start of the creative phase of life." He's also hiring babysitters and a food truck.

Ok, in theory, this is so sweet and creative and romantic. But........no. Just no. Please just let me bring your wife a bottle of nice wine and call it good.

[AndyCohen]

That does seem over the top. Just let people visit if they want.

[The Foozzler]

If I were invited to that party, I would stand next to you and be a party pooper.

[thedahliharpa]

I can see asking people to do that on a volunteer basis but mandatory performances? No...

My suggestion would be to quote or read something. Bleh. I wouldn't want to.

[kdrake8]

I would be sooo anxious about doing anything in front of people. Honestly, id refuse.

If they're not 12, I don't want to talk in front of them.

[Faevantastic]

Saved by the baby?

[rjamz]

Blah. I would not enjoy that either

[thedahliharpa]

Buuuuuut...food trucks. Possibly worth it.

[unclejesse]

Can you volunteer your creativeness in the form of making some treats?

And by making, I mean picking them up at the local bakery.

[katie]

Oh boy that's too much for me. Should be optional to participate in that. You can't be the only person who feels the way you do. What does your H think?

[carawestt]

I would consider your talent "look how pregnant I am, pity me."

[creamsiclechica]

I think I'll go ahead and say it:

Get the fuck out of here with this.

I think perhaps the sentiment is sweet, but I'd neither want to participate in showcasing a skill or sit through several hours of other people doing it and pretending I'm interested.

I just want to drink wine and laugh at parties.

[creamsiclechica]

Also, bringing wine is a talent. One I admire in all my friends.

[charlielove]

I would not participate in the talent show. I'm a total stick in the mud.

[honeybee503]

Does this party happen to be close to your due date? Maybe offering a birth show will cause them to insist you to not participate?

[bean47]

Yeah, I wouldn't be participating.

[PatBenatar]

I agree with Cream Not only would I not want to participate, but I would have no interest in watching other people either.

I would not consider anyone that didn't want to bother with that nonsense a stick in the mud either. Just having good sense.

[playswithsquirrels]

Yeah no thanks. I'd be way to anxious to do anything in front of people.

[formerlyllizzyb]

Stick in the mud over here!

My talent at that point in my pregnancy will probably be my shockingly swollen feet, if history repeats itself.

[laurack]

If it were mandatory, I'd have to simply not go. I mean, I just couldn't do it. i'd be having panic attacks every day leading up to it

[laurensmomma]

Yeah, the host has taken what could have been an incredibly sweet gesture for his wife and turned it into something that the guests could become uncomfortable over and cast a negative view on the event but requiring it. He wants people to look back and remember it as an awesome event, not a time where they were forced to "perform".

[jenbelle]

I agree with previous posters, aand as a 40 something, I sure as hell do not want to watch my friends embarrass themselves by doing that. Someone needs to have a talk with her husband.

[teamhayes]

I would hide in the bathroom

[jfh]

You guys always make me laugh. I'm sure he won't totally force the issue, but I'm sure there will be some peer pressure. He explicitly said not to bring food. However, he did not explicitly forbid a Med Free Birthing Show. I think Honeybee is onto something.

[bridgilly]

The only good parts of this party are the food truck and the free babysitting. Is there any way to enjoy these parts but skip out on the "entertainment"?

[spaghetticat]

This is my nightmare. Although the babysitters and food truck are nice.

I think you should volunteer to read something really depressing about aging.

[Deleted]

Haha no way would I do that either.

[TrudyCampbell]

I would never do that. Never.

[silverjm]

Just thinking about that gives me anxiety. This would be my worst nightmare.

[dojo]

I think it's pretty adorable and I would do something to get into the spirit of things. Probably just tell a joke or a small roast or something. I think that if someone comes to the party and doesn't participate they will be singled out and look like a total ass.


JUST KIDDING! I think if someone didn't participate it would totally go under the radar and no one is probably reading from a script to introduce each guest and their talent.