AIBU to think that baby showers are just awful 'parties'

[BenandBolly]

Are they not just present grabbing twee occasions?

And if they are are about celebrating an baby why are men not invited?

I just don't understand why women have them?

Do people actually enjoy them?

Yeah, see I would find that just about reasonable Prima. I resolutely refused to have baby showers because I find them tacky and grabby. They give me the ick.

With or without cupcakes.

Comedycentral..... If you're a woman it isn't the norm!

You think I am not a normal woman? What IS a normal woman?

Appaulds Stewie

I think it's nice when its only family invited and involved in giving presents. I've been to a family one where the mother organised it, and it was rather sweet. The men of the family were there too. The mother-to-be had a mani/pedi with massage. Family will give presents anyway, so its nice to have a little get together and give the present givers a little "thank you" in the way of food and drinks.

I've seen pictures on fb of a friend organised one, which looked a bit boring. They sat at one long table and it looked very formal.

It's a shame I can't spell today...bloody hell!

I just meant it is generally a male tradition and I wasn't sure from your username......

Anyway it's all blatant sexism so we tend to do both a shower and wetting the head.

Stewiegriffinsmom

Casual racism? WTF! Are you saying the fact I don't like baby showers because they are grabby and exclude men makes me racist???

If anything I showing the parties themselves to be consumers driven and slightly sexist.

Not seeing any CR here, SGM. People are allowed to say they don't like things without it being compared to racism.

I'm assuming your implication is that because showers are an American tradition, the fact that people do not like them, means they are being offensive about American traditions? Please do correct me if I'm wrong there.

It really is incorrect to suggest that a negative opinion about a tradition from a particular country means you do not have a respect for that country. Not to mention offensive in itself.

Go Stewie...:)

These threads really get on my nerves. If you get invited to 'grabby' baby showers then you just have grabby friends.

Exactly, OP.

Oh sorry, sorry I was a knob. Have a on me

No.

She's saying it's a long running American tradition and America doesn't only exist in television land.

Baby showers are not just an American tradition. (Google is your friend here)

Not saying they are, CC. Just that I think that's what SGM was referring to.

Your point, Bertie?

No, it really isn't racist. It's saying you don't like something because you find it tacky and grabby. And some baby showers really are. As I said upthread, there are some ways of doing it that I personally find okay, I just do not like the concept as a rule.

I take offence to incorrectly being called racist for expressing a negative opinion, that's really not okay.

Not sure where the 'total refusal' thing comes in....like I said, expressing that you don't like one thing does not equate to "a total refusal to contemplate that someone might do something differently".

There are lots of traditions around the world that I don't think are great and some that are fantatsic, that does not make me racist. I am not saying I don't like American's because they are sexist and grabby I am saying that I find baby showers to to be grabby and possibly sexist.

I am offended that you are twisting my point of view to call me a racist. It's insulting and am incorrect assumption form my OP.

They're a tradition in my native country's culture but I never liked them. I don't like celebrating an event that hasn't occurred, it always struck me as counting your chickens before they hatch.

Don't like playing games, either.

I'd usually just make an excuse and send along a gift.

I think you will find that pre-birth celebrations also happen in south east asian countries too. I had a Pakistani friend who had a special day before the birth of her baby. They got a big shawl and put it over the mother-to-be's lap and all mothers filled it with fists full of dried nuts and fruits. Then all fathers in the family did it too Then they gave presents and stuff.

Yes, they happen in lots of countries, NCG.

I'd even make excuses to get out of them for family and friends. Because I didn't find them a celebration of love, but grabby and silly (I'd cringe just sitting there watching someone unwrap a bunch of presents and look at my watch to see when I could get away). Those dumb games, too.

So relieved not to have to deal with them anymore. They are beyond boring.