In a scene from one of
my new favourite television shows The Big Bang Theory, there is a discussion
around why one of the characters has never celebrated his birthday. He says: “My
parents celebrated achievements and being expelled from a birth canal was not
one of them.”
As a result, he has never had a birthday party although he is in
his 20s.
We all come from different backgrounds and, therefore, how we
celebrate birthdays is different. But, generally, it’s a day of
celebration.
Perhaps we invite our friends over and there are sweets, games and
laughter.
So birthdays, regardless of your age, are about celebrating with
those whom you love and are close to you.
Am I misguided in my perspective, especially when considering
this trend of birthday parties as gigs with a cover charge and sponsors?
Public personalities in South Africa now have birthday parties
where we are all “invited” to pay our money to come and celebrate with
them.
It seems we seek to mimic what international celebrities are doing
but, let’s be honest, we can’t do it the way they do.
For example, P Diddy’s legendary parties. At his 40th last year –
held in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza in New York – there were 500 celebrity
guests (none of whom were charged at the door) including Spike Lee, Denzel
Washington, Russell Simmons and Jay-Z, and featured a performance by Al
Green.
No expense was spared and, while overly extravagant, it could be
argued that he was spending his birthday with his peers.
Ours, on the other hand, usually have sponsors to cover the costs
and we have a cover charge at the door so anyone can come. It is an unnecessary
excuse to have a gig and get validation from society that you’re truly
relevant.
The way I see it, in following this trend you either have an open
gig for people to come celebrate your birthday – if you feel you want to
celebrate with strangers – and party up a storm, or you sell it as a
party.
And perhaps because I’ve never been approached by anyone to pay
for my own party, I just don’t get it.
