I have a surprise for you!

[InvisibilityCloakActivated]

AIBU to think this is a horrible sentence to hear? Does anyone actually like surprises?

It is one thing when you have a birthday coming up and someone says "do you want to know what I've got you or would you rather have a surprise?" (Fine, it isnt a real surprise, I know youve got me a "thing"). But does anyone in the world appreciate a random "I have a surprise for you"? This could mean anything from "I got you a book" to "I'm coming to visit and stay with you for a month".

YABU - everyone loves not knowing the things that other people know and having no control over the thing that has been planned and about to happen.

YANBU - tell me what it is so I can plan my day/time/meals/outfit/finances/purchases accordingly and think about my reaction ahead of time.

I would probably cope with this one actually 😂

Yes you are

💯!

I absolutely love surprises of all sorts (positive)

my oh hates them , forever spoiling ends if books films accidentally

This is a very surprising response! 😂

When friends and family say it? Hell yes!

When your boss says it? omg panic!!!!

Surely it depends on the surprise and how long you have to wait for it to be revealed?

My DP has been known to book a surprise UK mini-break for us. I know in advance that we're going somewhere, but not where we're actually going until we arrive at our destination. I love it.

I could cope with that because you know what it is (a trip). You know when it will be and you know how long it will be for and what your DP's budget might be, which would give you a fair idea of how far away it might be and that would give you a fair idea of what the weather would be like and you would know your DP's interests which would give you a fair idea of what type of activities you might be doing and what you need to pack and what you need to do ahead of time (wash certain clothes, buy certain items, make sure certain chores are done, adjust the weekly shop so you don't buy food that will be wasted etc.)

BUT... If it could be anything, that is so stressful. Do I need to shave my legs or book a wax and pack a swimming costume or pack my walking boots and jumpers and get the tent out if the loft for camping trip? Or it might not be a trip, it could be a house guest coming to visit, but you need to know if you're making a meal or eating out so you have the right amount of food, how many for, what are their dietary requirements, are they staying overnight and how long for and do I need to make up a bed? Or is it a long lost cousin? Or a cake? Or a pregnancy announcement? Or are you about to ask me to be your maid of honour? Or did you just find an old photograph you want to show me?

I would much rather deal with any if those things with a "guess what? I saw Bob the other day and I've invited him over for dinner" "Guess what, I'm getting married - will you be my MOH?" etc. But "I have a surprise for you for next week!" is just awful.

I think it’s the surprise foreshadowed by the non-warning - a surprise isn’t really a surprise if you’re told there’s going to be one - that would be annoying

I like surprises. I think I have ADHD so it makes sense that I would.

I can’t vote because your options are too extreme. I really don’t think someone wanting to give you a surprise amounts to a malicious attempt to remove your control over a situation.

For me, even if a surprise doesn’t quite come off, you know the intention behind it was kind. (Unless you know someone with a really weird sense of humour who tells you they’ve got a lovely surprise when they’re actually planning on kicking you in the foof.) I do think you need to know your audience though. Hopefully someone close to you would know your thoughts on surprises!

Personally I think I’d like a surprise party - albeit in a “I thought it was just a couple of us for dinner” way rather than the extreme “Literally everyone forgot” way.