Do people honestly like going to Hen parties?

[TruffleMonkey]

I'm in my early 30s so they've been popping up fairly frequently over the last few years and to be quite honest I absolutely hate them!!

I'm not a party animal at all and I don't have one big friend group so the ones that I go to are usually a mixed bag of people who don't know each other - so inevitably because I'm socially awkward I end up drinking too much for the confidence and I don't enjoy being drunk at all!

I hate that more and more of them are away from home and for more than 1 night so I lose an entire weekend (I work full time so weekends with my 3 year old are precious to me!). I hate that it all costs me a fortune.

I used to love going out in town in my late teens/20s but now honestly clubs are my worst nightmare!

I never feel like I can just say no like I would for an ordinary night out if i didnt fancy it, because its a special event for friends/family that I care about a lot.

Does anyone else feel like me or am I just the most miserable sod around 🤣

I don't like them. Just say no, OP! You don't have to go.

I've enjoyed a couple of them but mostly have been quite bored at best, and I'm hugely relieved that I'm past the age of there being any now. Thank goodness I've never had to go on one of the overseas extravaganza ones. Saying no is allowed. I will admit that some brides will take it badly but stick to your guns.

No, so I say "no thanks"

No.

I have declined recent ones and would only go if a sibling or bestie.

Trying to think of ones I've loved - I think the fav was at our old local pub, karaoke, darts, quiz, food, family and friends of the bride of all ages. It was low key and full of love. Sadly the wedding never happened but the Hen was great.

Hate them. Have to endure them if it's family/close friends

My DDIL (who's fab) invited me to hers. I just said thanks for the invite it's not really my thing have a great time. And that was fine! Try that?

I hate them too. I get on very well with women one-on-one but really struggle in a big group. Fortunately I have been to very few. The thought of going to one now sends a chill down my spine.

I have always declined. Not my thing. But will happily go out for a drink with bride to be just the two of us.

I've always hated them!

Me too. I have many close female friends. I love seeing them one to one or in very small groups. I'm uncomfortable in big groups of women though. I seem to wither up inside and become very quiet.

A few of them has been great.

I decline the out country ones and the very expensive ones.

Your 3 year old is your get out of jail free card here surely?

I don’t love them but I think it’s important to be there to support your family and friends.

If there was a thread ‘My friends aren’t coming to my hen party’ people would say they weren’t invited your friends and to ditch them.

I've been on some that were excellent, and I knew they would be and enjoyed the build up too. I've been on others that weren't my cup of tea, and I did often wish people would reign it in. In my 20s and 30s I spent more than I really wanted (both in money and time) on other people's hens and weddings. Thank god we are past that stage now and the ones I go to at this age are much lower key.

The only time I've ever excused myself from an old friend's hen night was when it turned into a three day extravaganza incorporating many venues across different towns. I felt bad but it just sounded so gruelling.

Am I unusual in that aged almost 50 I have never been to a hen party?

I only go on ones I know I'll like. So people who I'm close to, or local ones, or ones I can afford.
I just say no to the rest

I've hardly been to any! Don't have a huge family, brother isn't married. Lots of lovely friends now, but they were all married before I met them, friends before them were either from school (so lived miles away as we moved) or were work mates who were more like acquaintances.

I'd definitely go to one though! Not a big party lover, and hardly drink, but I'd have a good time regardless

As a bloke, there's nothing worse then a bunch of drunk woman on a henny, cackling like a coven of witches, prim n proper during the week & forgetting they ain't 21 anymore, I see them in benidorm & think oh ffs, & yes guys on a stagger are as bad lol

Hate them, and weddings too

It's enforced jollity...I'm too much of a miserable cow for that nowadays.

Hate them and don't go to them. Not wildly fond of weddings either.

I was just about to post this
56 and never in my life been to one, or even known anyone personally that had one.

Were they a thing up north in the 1990's?
I was overseas then in a place where they didn't exist.

Well I’ve always enjoyed them. The weekend away ones tend to be more relaxed which is more my thing.

but then I like my friends, I like spending time with them. I tend to work on the principle my friend is someone I like, and they like me, so their other friends I don’t know yet are probably going to be people I can get on with. This is usually the case. Few of my friends are friends with twats.

im past this stage now, everyone’s married who’s getting married. But first round of divorces seem to be rumbling so we might get round 2 over the next few years.

I don't know. But count your blessings

Yes, northern hen dos definitely were a thing in the 90s.