american bragging christmas cards

[thatsnotmywean]

We got the annual christmas card from an american acquaintance. I say acquaintance as they are a friend of a friend and we couldn't care less.

What is it though with this American trend of bragging every christmas? Its like competitive parenting. This card is full of "my beauty business is doing SO well this year, little johnny really loves his music and has a future as an aspiring musician, little janey does cheerleading practice 3 times a week, she's so dedicated" and so on.

AIBU to think, this is a stupid tradition?

Also, I think if we have time, we should send one back full of stupid shit. Can I have suggestions of what to say?

YABU. Sure, we don't like success in this country but it's an American tradition. Did they send a photo as well?

It’s much more meaningful than another thread on here where people are complaining of generic cards.

I quite like the idea of an update on the lives of the people I get cards from…

By way of an experiment, I asked chatgtp to write a Christmas bragging letter and it seems to fit the bill:

Dear Friends and Family,

As the festive season arrives, we can't help but reflect on what an extraordinary year it has been for our family. Our household has been a hub of joy, laughter, and countless cherished moments.

This year, our little ones have not only grown taller but also wiser, filling our home with the warmth of their personalities. From academic achievements to creative endeavors, each day has been a testament to their boundless potential.

In the heart of our home, the kitchen, culinary experiments have flourished. We've mastered the art of festive feasts, creating culinary delights that would make even the most seasoned chefs envious. Our dining table has become a stage for gastronomic symphonies, bringing loved ones together in the spirit of shared meals and delightful conversations.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, we've taken the time to nurture our relationships, creating lasting memories with family and friends. Whether it's cozy gatherings or virtual celebrations, our bond has only strengthened, proving that love knows no distance.

As we adorn our home with festive decorations, each ornament tells a story of the beautiful moments we've shared. The glow of our holiday lights mirrors the radiance of our family's spirit, shining bright through every challenge and triumph.

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with the same joy and love that has illuminated our lives this year.

Warmest regards,
[Your Family Name]

I don't have a problem with them. It's just a way of letting their friends know how their lives are going.

Letters like this are just begging for the divorce announcement in the New Year. I wonder if ChatGPT knows?

America is huge. Not all Americans are the same. Just thought I'd say that in case you didn't know.

First of all Brits do this as well - the inevitable round robin or scribbled note in the card about kids' achievements. (And just look at FB/IG and MN for all the bragging FFS)

I'm sure many here will proudly post on FB, tell friends or pop it in a Christmas card that their DS has done so well in his GCSE's and got into uni. But it'll be told with a faux deprecating "We always thought he was such a lazy dimwit - but he's surprised us all and got into Oxford!"

I’m American and lots of ‘us’ don’t do cards anymore and didn’t do this when we did, so not sure it’s an American trend. Mumsnet sure do like to talk shit about us. 🙄

Tell them that this year has been great - wee Johnny can now use the potty and he’s not even in high school yet. And you’ve finally got rid of your haemorrhoids.

Seriously, I know what you mean - just a very cheesy American tradition.

I'm American, and don't know anyone who does this, except one Australian friend.
I have a couple of friends who send letters to a group of people, but they are not bragging- they are thoughtful and communicative.
Americans get a lot of flack on here, some of it justified and most of it baffling.

The braves all the time they complain about us Americans and what stupid ideas we have. Some of the crap I read on here about the British makes me laugh.

I don’t think they’re braggy, it’s just a positive newsletter keeping you up to date. It’d be a bit of a downer receiving a letter detailing all their problems - although I suspect they go that way as people get older.

i think as a country we’re not great at just being proud of ourselves tbh 🤷‍♀️

I guess if they can say we are all lazy cooks and spend our time bragging, just a couple of the things I’ve seen lately, I can say that Scottish people are tight with their money, alcoholics, drug addicts and missing lots of teeth. 😊

And you would be partially correct 😂

I don't think the hideous and ghastly round-robin is just done/sent by Americans though. I know a few people who do it/have done it. British, European, Australian, Canadian. .. as well as American..

Awful 1000 to 1500 word bragfest about their amazing year, all their successes and achievements, and especially all the ones the kids have had. And their DH has always had a promotion in his big important job - and has had a massive payrise that took him to the low to mid six figures....

Vom-worthy, and always goes in the bin without a read. Especially as the people who send these, can't be fucked with 90% of the people they send these round-robins to, for the rest of the year.

It'd not an American thing.
Actually, the only person i know who did this is a middle class Brit who wrote it all in an email because they were donating the money from stamps and cards to charity.

And you would be partially correct

No, it’s all Scottish people, it’s like a trend. 😊

Some Brits used to do this back in the 90s. Round Robins, I think they were called. Then agai, people used to take the mick out of them back then too.

It's just cultural differences. Brits have a real issue with the idea of people being boastful about their achievement while in the US people are more likely to ask about and celebrate other people's successes. They aren't sending it to you to make you feel bad, it's just part of the culture over there.

No way is this just an American thing. Get a copy of the Simon Hoggart book ‘The cat that could open the fridge’, a compilation of the weirdest/funniest round robin letters.

Oh I love this. So far from my truth which people might be shocked to know is really frowned on to. When ever I tell family something negative happens, they 100% ig nore me.

Dear Family and friends,

What a glorious year. After the passing of my beloved mum in May things only got better.

Ds11 finally got into a specialist secondary but due to his unique gifts that no other school understood, it had to be over the border into London. He loves s the 80 mile a day round trip.

Our eldest is now on pip and UC. He still hopes to go to uni in September 24 but for the moment he has been signed off unfit to work due to his MH.

Ds16 continues to do well in his special school. He is things the higher paper for maths and predicted a 6, so imagine his delight when he was ungraded in his mock. How we laughed!

Dd is doing so Well at ballet Despite her Asd. Luckily her teacher has a child with asd and said she fully understands. She has never asked anyone to leave her class in 20 years. Imagine our delight when I was told that she might have to make a special exception for dd and ask her to leave. My heart swelled with pride. luckily things couldn't be better at school after her suspension for kicking the HT this week. He told us staff will leave because our family.

Surely this is what parenting is all about?

I work with Americans. While there are lots of things that are annoying about the cultural differences between us, I love the fact that they are generally nicer to and about other people than we are. As a nation we are a load of crochety bitchers aren't we

I remember getting one of these each year from someone. They stopped after he was arrested for fraud.

It is in culture to pull people down. Nothing the press like more than building someone up to rip them down.

Another American here who doesn't do this. We used to get a few letters back in the day; it was a way to connect with people before email, text, and social media. Hardly anyone sends cards these days, much less cards with letters, but of course if someone doesn't like something it must be an American thing.

I know EXACTLY what you mean. And this is definitely a thing. I find the differing communication styles from one of our American aquaintances very hard to deal with to be honest. They show NO willingness to engage in back and forth communication, just me me me me me. Look at everything I've done. No interest in anyone elses life.

All I can say is at least you don't get what we end up getting...

A full medical history sent via email.

Pictures of every meal out they eat.

Pictures of every christmas or birthday gift they get PLUS a detailed description of about a paragraph of every gift (even if it's just a box of chocolates).

Photographs of EVERY injury or medical procedure. Graphic photos. "This is me before my general anasthetic, the RN had just put my line in. Man it hurt, I'll send some more pictures of the bruise." "This is a picture of the scar of my knee at 2 days, 1 week, 3 weeks, 1 month and now 6 weeks after surgery. As you can see it got infected and I needed antibiotics. I've forwarded you ap letter for you to read where I complained to the hospital director that they ignored me when I told them the scar was itching like crazy and yet they took another FIVE days to look at it!!!"

These are people I haven't seen in 5 years. We met on holiday many years ago. I've tried letting it fizzle out and not responding but we get frantic emails assuming my death when I don't respond. I'm in my 30s and not likely to pop my clogs anytime soon but that's the only reason they can see for my lack of contact. I've managed to reduce it to every six weeks but honestly I'd just prefer it to stop now.

My parents get a card like this from an ex colleague of my dad's. It's really funny because they'll try to make it sound like they're not bragging by mentioning the negatives (humble bragging?) ie the letter last year referenced the stress of having two children at Ivy League schools (one at Harvard, one at Yale), and "gosh it's so stressful when you know your children have such high potential and you just want them to reach it, but will Harvard be able to stretch them enough??" I'm paraphrasing, but only slightly. We look forward to their letter every year!