DH wants to miss SIL’s anniversary lunch for Arsenal parade?

[Thegoldenoriole]

As you may or may not know (or care), Arsenal won the Premier League yesterday. DH wants to go to the parade in a couple of weeks. However, we have his sister’s 10th anniversary lunch booked in already, and it would be impossible to attend both.

I think it’s probably reasonable to go to the parade, given it could be literally the only opportunity. Or it could happen again next year! But I’m concerned DSIL won’t feel the same way… DH is a fan, but not to a major degree - he only started following them at uni influenced by his flatmate and I think he’s been to two live arsenal games in his life! The rest of the family aren’t football people at all. I only care insofar as it affects DH.

Thoughts? I would still go to SIL’s lunch and take the kids - they are small and after what happened at Liverpool last year I wouldn’t want them going without me.

Wow. It isn’t only football for actual football fans. Arsenal haven’t won the title for 22 years!! Imagine if they don’t for another 22 or more, he’d be gutted as a fan to have missed it… for his sister’s 10th wedding anniversary?!

Anniversary lunch? People do that?
yeah, I’d be going to the parade

He should go to the parade

It's up to him and he should manage the comms to his sister.as a football fan i can understand why he wants to go tbh

I think the fact that it's something that's not happened for such a long time does make it special.I'm not hugely interested in football and most definitely not an Arsenal fan, but I can see why it is a really big deal for those who are. If it was something that happened every year or two I'd say he should suck it up and go to the anniversary if he's already said he would as there have been other parades and will be more. Except there haven't been other parades for a very long time and whilst there might be more in the near future nobody can guarantee that. It could potentially be a once in a lifetime experience.
My DS has been given the opportunity to volunteer at the Commonwealth Games which is something that almost certainly won't come his way again but it means he'll be away for my 60th birthday. He asked me if I'd be upset and I said "I sure will be - if you give up the chance of an amazing life experience to come to my birthday." One off experiences have to be grabbed with both hands in my opinion, and whilst football doesn't mean much to me, I appreciate it does to lots of people.

Update: he gave his sister a call and she is fine about it. I think I may have oversold the anniversary lunch in the OP - as some have said it is more of a nice reason to get people together. He’s generally very family oriented so that probably helps - she knows he wouldn’t blow it off with any old excuse.

Bit rude to cancel after accepting but close family so easier to navigate.

Those parades are a bit silly. It's not like he's in the team or anything

They are not "now" calling themselves that.

From the official website

The nickname was first used in an official matchday programme in 1966 and although the phrase had been used by some firms in the 1970s and 1980s, the nickname has been claimed by our supporters and players alike.

The phrase is also used by the popular independent fanzine The Gooner, which has been selling copies outside Highbury and the Emirates since 1987

www.arsenal.com/news/why-are-arsenal-fans-called-gooners

The average mn response to sport particularly football is one of the reasons it is very out of touch....

Is this your DH?

Other than the ‘big’ anniversaries I don’t know anyone who would celebrate their anniversary with anyone other than their spouse.

I think he should go to the parade

Then you would never accept the invite in the first place.

Its irrelevant whether the invite is a diamond wedding or a celebration of putting down a new lawn - once you have accepted an invitation its bloody rude to pull out for no better reason than a better offer.

Honestly it is just football, and it shouldn't come above other pre arranged plans.

😆👏

I agree, i think pp are being deliberately obtuse because they have nothing else to contribute, it doesn't matter what the invite is, cancelling is rude and selfish.

His sister thankfully disagrees as per OP’s update so all is well and he can see the Gooners in all their glory!

By your own admission, he's not a major fan, and has only been to two games ever! So he should stick with the prior engagement. Even most lifelong Arsenal fans won't be going to the parade.

If he's desperate to go to the parade though, he should talk to his sister and see if she minds.

Edit: Just seen your update. Sounds like everyone's happy!

Laughing just imagining my family's and in laws faces and side eye if we suggested everyone go out to lunch to celebrate mine and my DH's wedding anniversary 🤣
I have never once, in my entire life, been invited to celebrate someone else's wedding anniversary. I've also never bought someone other than my husband an anniversary card or present, although the in-laws do give us one which is nice of them.
I think he should definitely go to the arsenal parade. And I say that as a spurs fan 🤣

I am well versed in football stuff getting in the way of other events- but I think in this case he is within his rights to go to the parade. The lunch is a bit unnecessary- I couldn’t be bothered to go to that.
However, DH should tell his sister, it’s not for you to worry about.

If he has accepted a family party invitation, then it's unbelievably rude to cancel to go and see a football parade!
I would be furious if I were the SIL.

Good that it’s resolved but a shame he won’t have the lasting memory in his later years of going to the lunch.
It will eat away at him when he hears his friends bragging about anniversary lunches they have attended

Yep. It’s a more interesting anniversary than ten years married. And I dont follow football.

Who really wants to go to someone's anniversary celebration, family or not?
How 😴

That's not really the point the Sister organised a celebration meal that they accepted

would you not go if it was your family because you find it tedious ? Is that how people really treat the people they love and hopefully like as just "😴"

They have only been top of the league since before Christmas and the last day of the season was known even earlier.