I had a birthday party at home for my DD recently, with a small group of girls from her class. I did the classic party games, and I've never encountered such a rude and ungrateful bunch in my life. In pass the parcel I wrapped a small gift in each layer. First child - happy. Second child - screws her nose up and throws present into the middle, folds arms. Third child - full scale tantrum because she wants what someone else got, and so on. 2 happy kids out of 10.
I went to a lot of trouble, the gifts weren't any old crap. But even if they were, as a child there is no way I'd have behaved like that receiving any gift! Even if I thought it was rubbish I'd have smiled politely and accepted it.
This went on for every game. Plus trying to get them organized was a nightmare. They were rude, shouting, didn't listen at all. Some of it due to party excitement which is fine but generally they were pretty obnoxious. They trashed my daughters room, I caught one child trying to steal something of my daughters, they wouldn't leave the dog alone when I kept telling them to stop. If a parent told me to stop doing something when I was young I'd have ruddy well stopped. And overall the party went really well and they enjoyed themselves!
I've found the same on play dates, it's get me this, get me that, no please or thank yous. Making me run around like a maidservant instead of the relaxing distraction of my child that I generally envisage.
And people! I keep hearing of all these kind people, who actually care about others. Who are understanding that someone may be broke, depressed, ill, etc. why have I never met such an individual? Everyone I meet is so self- absorbed and full of their own importance, no wonder the kids behave the way they do. And breathe.