tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post3882484481789320476..comments2023-10-24T12:39:03.746+02:00Comments on Uh Oh Spaghettios: French birthday party etiquetteRebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-30634208191019895862010-04-01T09:39:23.389+02:002010-04-01T09:39:23.389+02:00Do not even get me started on the bonbons! I could...Do not even get me started on the bonbons! I couldn't believe at the beginning of school when my daughter would come home with candy wrappers in her pocket. The teacher gives them candy once in a while! <br /><br />And then, when it's a kid's birthday, parents bring in huge bags of bonbons - teeth rotting, sticky, unhealthy candy of all sort. <br /><br />On my birthday, my mom would send me to school with cupcakes in the shape of ice cream cones. But here, they actually tell you NOT to send homemade stuff because they don't know what's in it. They'd rather have candy! I think the class may be a little disapointed when it's Suzanne's birthday...because French kids don't like cupcakes. Blame it on the weird American mom.Rebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-73205368629437997222010-03-31T17:43:00.730+02:002010-03-31T17:43:00.730+02:00AWESOME post!
In Paris we drop off the kids, there...AWESOME post!<br />In Paris we drop off the kids, there is just NOT ENOUGH SPACE for the parents as well!<br /><br />What shocks me, is that already starting at age 4, these parties cost a fortune: there is always a clown or some sort of performer. costumes. Decorations. AND the gift-bag at the end with a little toy for each attendee...<br />And kids do not eat! I tried making sandwiches and cookies, all they gulp down is bon-bons! Loads of sugar!<br /><br />C'est tres bizarre tout ca!!!Clohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02889575085247948050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-80603615334609458052010-03-29T23:16:40.073+02:002010-03-29T23:16:40.073+02:00I taught English to three little girls once (ages ...I taught English to three little girls once (ages 4, 5, and 6), and after a 50 minute lesson of singing I'm a little teapot and playing go-fish, the little girls got to play together while I had tea with the mothers. I didn't have access to our car at the time so we alternated at who's house we had the lesson, and the the other mother would pick me up on the way there (and then stayed). It was kind of nice to chat and have tea, but sometimes I also felt like "Um, I'm paid to tutor, but not to drink tea. Can I get back to my personal life? I have errands to run." I even got to meet the grandparents like that (and had tea and cookies with them).Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07100259488053106803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-37204901523569945602010-03-29T22:03:21.816+02:002010-03-29T22:03:21.816+02:00ITA with the above. You don't have to stay at...ITA with the above. You don't have to stay at every party. People realise that you might have other stuff to be doing. If it makes you more comfortable with it, give a little excuse (So many errands to run! A project to finish for work! whatever!). <br />Building a network is a good idea, though- even if you'll never be BFF with any of them. <br /><br />Also- I do agree that you'll have to bite the hostess bullet and invite the parents. You don't want them to think you're hiding something...and gossip in these villages spreads like wildfire!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141877537334176841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-28702279375352221052010-03-29T17:31:29.006+02:002010-03-29T17:31:29.006+02:00Sometimes I stay, sometimes I go. I don't thi...Sometimes I stay, sometimes I go. I don't think there is any presumptions either way. I'm usually quite happy when they just drop off and leave, but then my other daughter's friends' mothers tend to stay and gossip. I'd say if you want to stay, stay, if not, don't feel bad about dropping them off.<br /><br />I did make an effort though, the first few years, of staying, as it really helped me get to know the other mothers. And even if they aren't really 'friend' material, I think it's good to have some sort of 'relationship' with the woman that I'll be seeing for years to come at all of the events!<br />Good luck with your decision!The Duchesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973296361399409747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-38048225270955357552010-03-29T16:35:42.689+02:002010-03-29T16:35:42.689+02:00gak. I think it does. I hate French politeness li...gak. I think it does. I hate French politeness like this. So false. How do you know if you are really friends with them when you're invited just because it's the done thing. How long do you have until you have to make a decision on this?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com