The Unwritten Rules of Birthday Wishes
When it comes to celebrating another year of life, most people expect a flood of happy birthday messages from friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. But what if we told you that this well-intentioned gesture can actually be a source of stress and anxiety for the birthday boy or girl?
A Day of Peace and Relaxation
Your birthday should be a time to unwind, do what you want, and bask in the attention of those closest to you. It’s not about being bombarded with messages from people you barely know or haven’t spoken to in years. Imagine waking up to a sea of notifications, only to find that most of them are from acquaintances or distant friends who are only reaching out because it’s a social obligation.
The Nightmare Scenario
Checking your phone on your birthday and seeing a string of messages from people you don’t really know can be overwhelming. It’s like being forced to attend a party you didn’t plan, with guests you didn’t invite. And what’s worse, you might feel guilty for not responding to each and every one of them.
A Call to Action: Establishing Birthday Etiquette
It’s time to set some boundaries and establish rules for who can wish you a happy birthday. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- If you haven’t seen or spoken to the person in over a year, it’s best to leave them off your birthday wish list.
- If your last interaction with someone was exchanging birthday wishes, it’s probably not worth repeating.
- Don’t send a happy birthday message to someone you don’t have a personal connection with, such as a coworker or acquaintance.
- If you don’t follow each other on social media, it’s likely not a close enough relationship to warrant a birthday wish.
- Be cautious when sending birthday wishes to someone who is only connected to you through a mutual friend or significant other.
- And finally, if you wouldn’t send a condolences message if the person passed away, it’s probably not worth sending a birthday wish.
Breaking Free from the Norm
By establishing these simple rules, we can create a more considerate and respectful environment for birthday celebrations. It’s time to take back our special day and make it truly about us, rather than a social media obligation.
A Personal Note
As someone who recently celebrated a birthday, I can attest to the relief of not responding to every single message. It’s liberating to focus on the people who truly matter, rather than feeling obligated to acknowledge every well-wisher. So, if you want to drop a happy birthday message in the comments, I won’t say no!
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