I still use the JanSport backpack I had in high school.
It doesn't look professional, but hell if it doesn't come in handy. It is the perfect size for packing for a weekend trip, and it is as if the front pocket of the bag was made for a Gameboy.
And unless my Parents threw out my junk drawer, my Trapper Keeper is still around too.
What's the deal with etiquette when it comes to Baby showers? My Sister is having a shower for her second baby, and a lot of people are, well, pretty peeved.
She has a registry that was sent out via mass email and her friends, and family, are chatting. As a duder without kids (yet) I don't know the modus operandi for these shindigs, but apparently people find it extremely rude to ask for more gifts for a second child.
Now my Sister is rich. Rich rich rich. She does not need ANY help or gifts for the baby on its way. Perhaps that's why some people are up in arms.
Again, I don't know the protocol for these events, but is my Sis being a dick for having a second shower? Even my own Mother said "It's greedy and unacceptable for her to have another shower". What's the biggie? My Sister is just throwing a party right? Or are people expected to bring a gift?
It's awkward. I assume that even if she listed on the invitations "No gifts please",some people would still be upset... but she basically did the opposite by providing a registry. If a woman gets a divorce, can she not have another wedding shower?
If it is just a party, thats fine, but it should be strictly stated as a party not a baby shower, shower infers gifts. And you only get gifts on your first child, unless there are crazy circumstances (like job loss or triplets).
Luke wrote:What's the deal with etiquette when it comes to Baby showers? My Sister is having a shower for her second baby, and a lot of people are, well, pretty peeved.
The etiquette is not having a baby shower for your second child. (This is especially true if the second child is realtively close in age to the first one.)
That said...your sister is having a baby shower; so to preserve relations with her, you should attend and bring something. I would recommend an inexpensive outift or aticle of clothing so that you: (1) are not spending much money; and (2) will be getting something just for the new baby.
dsheinem wrote:How much time has passed since the first baby shower?
If it is less than 5 years, then I would consider a second baby shower tacky. (Even then, a second baby shower - with a pleas for gifts - is pushing it.)
dsheinem wrote:How much time has passed since the first baby shower?
A little over two years.
prfsnl_gmr wrote:
That said...your sister is having a baby shower; so to preserve relations with her, you should attend and bring something.
I will not be attending the shower. Over a ten hour round trip drive, and my Sister didn't take an hour trip drive to see me last time I visited my parents. When I visited my Grandmother in Chicago both of my cousins and my Aunt and Uncle took an entire day to spend time with my wife and I. My Sister knew well in advance when I would arrive, and she was a no show.
As soon as the baby is born all of facebook will know as soon as I do. I'll just send my Sister a card stating "Once you announce the name, I'll by the domain". So if it is Harry Shute, I'll purchase "Harryshute.com".
Etiquette implies that second baby showers are 'tacky' because the purpose of the first is to receive baby things that the mother does not yet own. In theory, the mother should have kept these items and used them for the second child, so a second shower is perceived as a gift grab. It's also considered tacky if a family member throws the shower as well.
(That's not my personal opinion, just what I've heard.)
I've heard of second baby showers or 'sprinkles' as some people call them if the second child is a few years after the first. Some items are just given away or expire (like carseats. NEVER buy a second hand carseat unless you know for a fact that it's not expired and has never been in a wreck.) so the parents have to start all over again. Some people wait until after the baby is born, and throw 'Meet the baby' parties. Others are just so excited about having another kid that they just want to celebrate it, and ask for no gifts to be brought.
Also, as a parent, no matter what you do it's going to be wrong to someone. Hell, the goes for everyone really. I caught hell from my Great Aunt because my mother threw my babyshower, even when I had no hand in planning it at all. It seems common with the older folks.
KitKatCara wrote:Also, as a parent, no matter what you do it's going to be wrong to someone. Hell, the goes for everyone really. I caught hell from my Great Aunt because my mother threw my babyshower, even when I had no hand in planning it at all. It seems common with the older folks.
That can extend to being an adult. My wife caught hell from her friends for having three wedding showers in town, and two out of town (and they were only expected to be at one of them). Two of the showers were lingerie - one for each family/friend circle (two different states), two were churches (two different states), and the last was just her friends (and I wasnt invited). But apparently that is too many, you should only have two.
KitKatCara wrote:Etiquette implies that second baby showers are 'tacky' because the purpose of the first is to receive baby things that the mother does not yet own. In theory, the mother should have kept these items and used them for the second child, so a second shower is perceived as a gift grab. It's also considered tacky if a family member throws the shower as well.
Pretty much this. Baby #2 doesn't really need a whole lot, unless said baby is a different gender than the first (new clothes). A second shower is absolutely unnecessary in any case.
Speaking of etiquette, this is something I've been pondering lately. Do you tip when ordering take-out? There's a local Thai place my wife and I used to eat at all the time. But now that we have the baby I go there strictly for take-out. I tip when I order take-out (someone is still cooking my food, ringing up my order, etc) but I have heard folks say it's not mandatory. Thoughts?
BoneSnapDeez wrote:I tip when I order take-out (someone is still cooking my food, ringing up my order, etc) but I have heard folks say it's not mandatory. Thoughts?
IMHO that's not really into tip territory. You're getting the bare minimum of service necessary to hand you the food. There wasn't any checking if you need a drink refill, sauces, or anything to make your meal proceed smoothly.
