When I first started my job, I noticed that I would occasionally get emails from another co-worker announcing that there were goodies in the kitchen on each floor. There didn't seem to be any reason for it at the time. And to be honest, I'm not really one to question free food. But after racking my brain to try and figure out what mysterious lottery that my fellow co-workers had (un)luckily won, I decided to put down the cupcake and ask someone.
That's when I was introduced to what I personally think is a very strange British (and European) tradition. When it is your birthday here, you are expected to buy presents/drinks/cake for everyone else. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you have to buy other people things on your birthday. Confused???? Me too!
I'm used to the American tradition of people taking you out for your birthday. And that is actually how my friends and I celebrate them while we are here in London. But be forewarned, that if it is your birthday and you are expected, nay, obligated to buy drinks or snacks for your co-workers and/or friends.
You could argue that is really isn't any different than you buying gifts for all of your friends' birthdays. You just get it over with at the same time. I can be okay with that reasoning. But what about your co-workers??? Do you really have to buy them something??? Even if you don't like them????
A nice person would. I just didn't tell anyone that it was my birthday!
same applies in Hong Kong - they must have gotten it from the British!
ReplyDeleteand all of india/asia. a couple years ago i was planning my bday party at green & red in shoreditch, and when putting together the guest list my (indian) boyfriend was like, "wow! you're planning to spend a lot." i was utterly befuddled. "what are you talking about?" then he explained that everyone was going to show up expecting dinner/drinks on me! i couldn't believe it was true, but we went round after round till he finally convinced me. have to say i was quite unnerved. end-result: the guest list got cut in half and i had people over for margaritas at my house (on me). LAME.
ReplyDeleteHahhahahahahhahaahahah! This is SO funny! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't EVER buy stuff to take to work on my birthday (although saying that, I always take my birthday off...) but I think it probably comes from the tradition of having a birthday cake for everyone to share? I don't know. It's also kind of like if you throw a birthday party and you buy food/drinks for your guests (and as a kid when your guests get party bags)... you're right - it's weird!
It shocked me here in Switzerland, too! So with my American friends here, we treat the birthday person, but with internationals, I fight for the bill...American aggression I suppose. :)
ReplyDeletesounds good. you are never disappointed.
ReplyDelete