One of the worst things about these pyramid schemes is how they manipulate their participants to try and monetize their friendships

I feel bad for people who’s friends do that to them - especially if they genuinely like that person and don’t want to end the friendship over that

That’s still pretty shitty to have those people in your life (of course, you already know that, far better than I do)

Good luck

Except those particular personal preferences really are sad

Loneliness and isolation are not fun.

Getting upset when people in your life want to celebrate your birthday is really sad - I genuinely feel sorry for all the people on this thread who feel like that. 

That’s a really sad way to look at the world

I’ve always enjoyed being the center of attention, so I really can’t personally relate to somebody having a problem with that - or being mad because people wish you well on your birthday.

Also, as for the waiters IT’S PART OF THEIR JOB - and if you think they’re being…

No offense....but your family sound like narcissistic monsters

No disrespect intended (I’m just going by your brief account)

Seriously, I feel sorry for you....and I’m very grateful that my family wasn’t as toxic as yours apparently was, based upon your account

I’ve benefited from therapy....perhaps you should consider…

Yeah, that shit seems....bizarre.... to me

People who love you are trying to do something nice for you.... and you shit all over it?

That’s just sad

So....fun and good times bother you?

You have my condolences 

Nice Strawman!

Seriously tho, if your anxiety makes routine life events, like, for example, birthday parties, too difficult for you, you really do need professional help (I say that as somebody who’s had therapy myself)

Yes, I have

It’s a disorder, and it’s treatable

If your anxiety disorder is so severe that you can’t even enjoy a birthday dinner with friends and fam, you should get professional help.

Those people must be ridiculously insecure

As for me, if I’m having a good time (and every time I had a birthday celebration in a restaurant - including the singing servers part - I was having a blast) I really don’t care what the rest of the restaurant thinks (I’m having fun, my friends are having fun and that’s…

Isn’t that a good argument for better mass transit in your city?

They can’t afford to live in that city because of the greed and profiteering of landlords and real estate developers, actually.

Except not really

Here’s a radical idea

Want less traffic?

Build more mass transit!

^^^what they said 

What exactly is “humiliating” about having your birthday celebrated in a restaurant?

Here’s an idea - quit raining on other people’s parades.

What’s so terrible about celebrating your birthday in a nice restaurant?

Who are these sourpusses who don’t like celebrating their birthday in public? I don’t get that AT ALL 

***raises hand***

I’m 51 and I still find it fucking awesome when my friends take me out for my birthday - and yes, that includes having waiters sing Happy Birthday

Why would anybody not like that?

You’re marking another year on the planet, and you have people in your life who love you enough to celebrate that fact -…

Or....require every store to accept cash money (which, if you’ll recall, is “LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE”)

I prefer to use cash instead of cards - and I’m not the only person that feels that way