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 🤣

Never been invited on one which is sad but probably wouldn't enjoy them tbf.

I personally love them but it's fine if you don't. If you're not comfortable just saying no, make an excuse by saying you have plans the same date.

@DrCoconut I’m 45 and have never been to one either, good job as would be sheer hell for me!

Yes, but unlike most mumsnetters I actually like my friends and enjoy spending time with them

Same.

I live near a city that people flock to for Hen Do's and Stag Parties. I think it's like Marmite. You either love them or hate them.

I'm Autistic and have always said I'd rather go to a funeral than a Christening or Wedding. They are generally self indulgent affairs.

Yes, well, I’m sure everyone here feels thoroughly chastened by your ill opinion.🙄

65 and never even been invited to one. None of my closest friends have had a hen do. In fact very few are married.

I've only ever been to one and was reluctant even then.

I hate them. I am not a party animal either and didn't bother having a hen do of my own.

You absolutely can say no. You even have a child so the "no babysitter" excuse should trip automatically from your tongue. I certainly used it whenever I didn't want to go to anything.

Nope. My own I paid for a weekend in my favorite uk holiday rental and asked a few friends to join me if they fancied, no pressure. I’ve been to two of my best mates’ dos (reasonably priced) and my sister’s (no choice) & said no to all others. No one has ever given a monkeys. Only time I’ve been excommunicated over a wedding issue was when someone took offence that I wasn’t able to make it to their child free wedding (4 hours from home) with my exclusively breast fed 4month old - i wasn’t offended that they knowingly chose to exclude me …but apparently declining their offer to make my life unduly expensive and shit was tantamount to total excommunication & a declaration of war. I’m still baffled.

I would rather sit on a cactus

No

No not really. I don't mind if it's just a night out with drinks, food, dancing etc. But a lot of the time it's the expectation to spend time and money going away for full weekends or weeks. Often with people you barely know. I love being at home. I'm past the age of bunking up in hotel rooms with friends, I enjoy my own space and my home comforts and my silly little routines.

Also really enjoy being with my dc and don't especially like leaving them if I can help it. Most of the time you get there and it's better than expected. For me it's usually the lead up to it where I genuinely dread it. And I do think it's one of those things it's very bad form to miss (unless you have a very genuine reason) when it's one of your good friends. But yeah on the whole I don't like them. Mine was a boozy night in my local pub and I was more than happy with that.

Love a weekend away with friends or a night out but most of the hens I’ve been to have had awkward group dynamics or arguments. I feel like it’s just being publicly ranked as a friend too.

I love a hen party! I’m in my mid-forties and have been to a few. Between my friends and I we’ve had an afternoon tea, cocktail making, restaurants with live music and everything in between. It’s a nice day or night out with some friends and/or family who I love. None of us remortgage our homes to pay for it and there’s never any pressure or bitchiness.

I'm mid 60s and managed to avoid every one

Could have written this whole thing myself!

No they are crass - sorry to say ! They have them here at weekends where I live - Don’t mind the staying at a spa with a few friends type of hen do - more my cup of tea!

I could have written your post @TruffleMonkey 🙌🏻🤣

They’re absolutely not my cup of tea at all. Although, I’ve gone from being out 5/6 nights a week in my 20s to going to bed at 7.30pm with my 4yo some nights in my early 30s 😂 so maybe I’m just boring 🤣

DH works at sea and is away for weeks on end and I have nobody else that I could leave DC with overnight or even for an evening so I turn down most invitations - and I’m not mad about that 😂
I have 3 or 4 close friends who were the exception - I did attend all of theirs. They varied hugely from a nice dinner and a few drinks to a 2 night stay in a huge house with 18 women.

I didn’t have a hen myself. But then I also got married with 6 guests 😂

Wow. Could you fit any more misogynist tropes in there? Also newsflash - Benidorm isn’t exactly a MN hotspot. 🙄

Well I like them - but I'm 20 and to be honest anything without men is great!

I've been to a couple that were fun. If you don't enjoy them, don't go 🤷‍♀️

Make the ‘hen’ pay for the ‘event’ and they’d soon rein in the shenanigans!

I enjoy ones that are a meals and drinks locally or someone's house? Normally a blast.

Hate hate hate ones that are an event away from home. The are expensive and rarely much fun

I do. I love that kind of thing.