To think she over reacted

[friendswithacat]

It was recently a friends birthday. Friend has (and likes) cats. Presents and cards had cats on them. However, she is a bit upset as she feels she is being called a crazy cat lady! Is she BU

Having just had a birthday she may be conscious of another year having passed and she is still in a state of unwanted singledom / childlessness (I'm guessing, here) and doesn't like the thought of being defined as the crazy cat lady cliché. If this is something she is sensitive about her reaction is understandable.

Lovely cat User. Cats have such great expressions- it's easy to see why they rule the internet!

My cards always seem to have cakes and boxes of chocolates on. My friends must think I'm a greedy fecker.

Ah! The objection may mean she is actually a crazy cat woman... in which case you're being insightful not unreasonable!
Though I've been called emotionally stunted, apparently as an insult...

I have two cats. I'm frequently called a crazy cat lady (can't really deny it, it's true!) and I'm comfortable with the label.

However, I'm also a dancer, artist, baker, wildlife lover, book lover, etc. and if I'm honest, I'd probably be a bit miffed if I was only ever labelled 'crazy cat lady' (and only ever given cat related presents) by my friends/family. There's a lot more to me than that!

An additional point to consider is that 'crazy cat lady' can sometimes be said in quite a derogatory manner. You probably mean it in an affectionate and light hearted manner but others might intend it to be an insult.

I agree with the others: cat cards are great, but novelty cat presents are going too far! 🙀

My SIL does this and it does annoy me. She seems to think it makes it seem super thoughtful or something, but tbh going into a shop and scooping up a handful of things with cats on because I like cats isn't thoughtful. Not really. If you don't think I'd use a novelty oven glove, a diary and a a pair of fluffy slipper boots normally then the fact they face cats on them doesn't change that.

Also 'crazy cat lady' is said as an insult by some so when it starts coming from all angles it gets annoying.

Cat thumbs!! Cool and beautiful.

Thank you for the cat thumb comments! It's a birth defect but indeed totally cool and he's very clever with them

l have house rabbits. l got four birthday cards this year with rabbits on them, my friends get me rabbit related presents (including a Mad Bunny Lady sign) and l love it! l wouldn't be offended in the slightest.

I've got 5 cats and me and dh are always getting cat related cards and gifts. I always like it and find it thoughtful. They're not the only thing we like and of course there is more to us than just cats but we do love them.

I think of myself as a crazy cat lady and very proud to be one! However, I rarely get cat cards . She should be grateful, it's very thoughtful of her friends.

My sister hates Panda bears. So I just got her a birthday card with a panda on it that said "Happy Fucking Birthday". She loved it! I think.

It's good that friends bother to send cards! It's thoughtful to choose a picture the recipient will realise was shown just for them.
It's a bit precious to mind people associating you with animals you keep (3 of!) as pets. She needs to get out more!

• chosen just for them

Rubbishmantra, i want a cat that does MN head tilts!

I'm a crazy cat lady, but it's the cat that's bonkers, not me.

'Crazy cat' lady. Yep, that's better.

Three of my four cats. I'd have more but DP would likely leave me. I am a crazy cat lady and I don't care.

Maybe she was a bit drunk?
Can't imagine why a cat card would offend you, if you have a cat.

I wonder if she's a bit sensitive about being single/childless and this just feels like a bit of a dig at her?

It can be pretty boring being labelled as something. I've only got one person who ever gives me a birthday and christmas present, and it's the exact same thing every year. Whilst the sentiment is nice, just once is would be nice to open something and be surprised and say 'wow, this person gets me, and has actually put some thought into what I would really love'.

To be fair, there is not a lot of choice with cards. I love watching TV series, but can't recall seeing any card with a similar theme (other than superheroes or star wars, not series and not the same), the same applies for hobbies such as travelling, reading or internet browsing, I think it is rare if you find a card or two in those themes. However, plenty for cat or dog lovers, wine, clothes shopping, guitar playing and cake/sweets. So unless she also likes all of that, people would have thought the cat one is more personal than a generic one. The "issue" here is that so many people had the same thought. It is not as if they all agreed with each other, they all thought they were being thoughtful and if they had known that all the other guests were also getting cat cards, they probably would not have bought theirs.

I think your friend is being a bit oversensitive, there are not many options in cards. I struggle every time I want to get my DH a birthday card without cars, beer or dogs. I double struggle to find something that is personal to him and for a while it was just the guitar playing. He ended up complaining because he has not played much since having kids and felt people didn't notice or were treating him still as a teenager! It wasn't that... it was that there were no other options to show "look, I thought about you and your interests"!