JCC Engagement parties

Why do these exist? A bachelor/bachelorette party makes sense to me, but this doesn't (I'm going to one of these tonight for a cousin of mine). A couple announces their engagement, and people congratulate them. Shouldn't that be enough?


Los Angeles Lakers: Drama, guaranteed.

 

An example of being social.

 

I see my family plenty during the year. I'd rather be out with friends on a Saturday night, or watching basketball.


Los Angeles Lakers: Drama, guaranteed.

 

You wouldn't regard any of your family members as friends?

 

Family is family, and friends (some are like family) are friends. What's wrong with separating the two? And don't get me wrong, Jello, I'm certainly happy for my cousin/enjoy the presence of my family. I will very much enjoy going to their wedding in October (which will happen a day before my birthday ).


Los Angeles Lakers: Drama, guaranteed.

 

I undertand your mentality. But either friends or family, just go with it. (this is of course aside from any abuse by either party)

 

It's also that my family has a strong history of divorce, so this party tonight may not seem so rosy in a few years.


Los Angeles Lakers: Drama, guaranteed.

 

To me, it seems like just a (p)rehash of the rehearsal/wedding/reception, except maybe a bit less formal (depending on the couple and their families). "Congratulations! I'll see you again in a few months or so to say 'Congratulations!' again."


Then again, I don't understand most things about marriage such as the exchange of shiny expensive things, the idea of "popping the question," the need to have multiple and expensive parties, the need to involve more people than should be involved, the sexism and general horrible archaic nature of many traditions, sentences that are too long but the author can't be bothered to edit, and all that good stuff. So I'll just smoke a cigar and grow out my neckbeard, I guess.

 

I'm with the OP on this one. Do we really need a new social obligation associated with weddings? I'm not anti-wedding and I'd go if invited but the list of invented/latecomer traditions seems to be growing.

 

Engagement parties are new? Maybe they're been making a comeback, but I'm pretty sure they've been around almost as long as marriage has.

 

Also, I must have missed this in the OP, but how are you defending bachelor parties while endorsing these? At least this is a respectable, pleasant affair. I don't see what's at all likeable about the notion that you so hate your spouse-to-be that you need to have some party mourning the upcoming nuptials. Whether, in it's stereotypical explosion of debauchery that's predicated on the notion that people's libido is so wild that it would a great burden to confine yourself to a single partner, or in the milder but still offensive form centered on the idea it somehow means being cut off from friends and associates, the ideas behind this are awful and long outmoded.

 

Materialistic money grubbing attention whores, my friend.

 

I can be pretty anti-social, but that isn't part of my objections and you know it.

 

It's another excuse to codge a gift from everyone.

Screw it.
Announce the engagement at some event already established--holiday party, birthday, family picnic, whatever. Then anyone who didn't come to that event can either be met separately for lunch or something and told then, or called on the phone or emailed or e-vited or whatever.

 

Bachelor parties are at least fun/exciting Wocky, and you do things you normally wouldn't do. Tonight, though enjoyable enough (it's not often I drink from a 20+ year old bottle of Jack Daniel's), really isn't needed in the normal events for a wedding (of which I object to because its something I don't want to do, but recognize that it can work for others). I also am more anti-social than most here.

 

*makes note to not invite Tunick to engagement party*

 

Don't have one.

 

Engagement parties are dumb. We chose against having one.
Bridal parties are dumb. They are only used to milk more gifts from friends and family. My fiancé doesn't want one, but her family is throwing a surprise one anyway.
Bachelor/Bachelorette parties are cool.
The End.

 

What a bunch of curmudgeons. So what if someone is so happy that they feel they need to throw a party?


I'll be throwing an engagement party this year, and you are all invited. No gifts are necessary or expected...except bottles of single malt Scotch...and a really nice leather sofa.

 

20 year old Jack? That's your idea of a good time?

 

I'm not anti-wedding or anti-marriage, but I consider this among the least of my complaints with regards to the whole ordeal. Men: you have no idea. Just thank whatever god(s) you do or do not believe in that you've never had to attend a bridal or baby shower, or had to deal with an otherwise well-adjusted adult woman who now considers herself the center of the universe and actively chooses to behave accordingly with the expectation of being showered with constant compliments, reassurances, time, and--not least of all--money.