Feel awkward going to our school fundraising gala

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think about what you would tell your kids in this situation. It’s not the worst thing in the world to sit at a table with some people you don’t know for a few hours. If it were your kids, you’d encourage them to meet new people and work on their social skills, wouldn’t you? You can do the same. Best case scenario you make a new friend or two, worst case you have a meh experience and just end up talking to your spouse.

It’s ok to experience discomfort in life, you know.

OMG this is such a load of crap. This is not an event of importance. It's a frickin fundraiser for a school. If the school gets the money they need from donations, no one NEEDS to attend these stupid events.

There are plenty of times in life when we have to experience discomfort. We don't need to manufacture more so extroverted jerks can lecture introverts on how they can "stretch and grow".

Get over yourselves.

Are you sure you don't need brushing up on your social skills?

Nope. Social skills are fine. Having low tolerance for BS does not mean no social skills. Quite the opposite.

People who say that often have the very worst social skills. It's like saying "No offense, but...."

My life suggests otherwise.

Yep. Mine too!

Those that feel they have to say “social skills are fine” and things like “get over yourself” are actually much worse of than me - an introvert who feels awkward at these events but can navigate them, even though I don’t enjoy them. Now, I just don’t attend.

You would think you could just live and let live rather than freak out and call these "stupid events" and use the word "fricking" like an 8 year old. None of this suggests happy and well adjusted adult. The word choices and excess emotion betray a supposedly wonderful fulfilled life without social difficulties.

None of your quotes above were in my post, but okay.....

2+ weeks to think up a comeback and this is what you go with?

[Anonymous]

You should feel awkward flaunting wealth while DC Bmore metro area is having juvenile crime rates through the roof.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think about what you would tell your kids in this situation. It’s not the worst thing in the world to sit at a table with some people you don’t know for a few hours. If it were your kids, you’d encourage them to meet new people and work on their social skills, wouldn’t you? You can do the same. Best case scenario you make a new friend or two, worst case you have a meh experience and just end up talking to your spouse.

It’s ok to experience discomfort in life, you know.

OMG this is such a load of crap. This is not an event of importance. It's a frickin fundraiser for a school. If the school gets the money they need from donations, no one NEEDS to attend these stupid events.

There are plenty of times in life when we have to experience discomfort. We don't need to manufacture more so extroverted jerks can lecture introverts on how they can "stretch and grow".

Get over yourselves.

I stand by what I wrote. If it’s such a minor thing, you should be able to deal and not have this level of anxiety about it. If you don’t want to go, don’t go, but it’s really sad there are so many adults out there who can’t cope and are raising a generation of kids who can’t cope and are socially stunted.

It is much worse that there are supposed adults on this thread that think enjoyment of a private school gala is some sort of social skills barometer. I'd much rather meet all the people on this thread that don't want to go to a gala. The gala-supporters on this thread have been demeaning in their responses (like you were), particularly with regard to people with anxiety. Many of us don't enjoy that kind of event and don't enjoy the kind of people that enjoy that event. We'd rather do things with nice people.

[Anonymous]

I’m amazed at all of the people on this thread who disparage other parents at their kids’ schools as mean girls, queen bees, anoles or whatever else. You know their kids are probably just like them, right? Are your kid is friends with their kids? Your kid is learning from these people what kind of person to be. Pick a better school with a better parent community and you’ll meet nicer parents and may even enjoy yourself as a school event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should feel awkward flaunting wealth while DC Bmore metro area is having juvenile crime rates through the roof.

Aww the public school troll strikes again! Because you are in public school and are not privy to the private school works and the culture of giving, you have no idea that most of these events are 100 percent for financial aid! That means people are paying money to attend and bidding on items that will never benefit them personally in any way. Paying for other families to attend the school.

[Anonymous]

Sorry. I hate to be a negative Nelly but I don't think that oligarchs get enough honest feedback. Have a nice day!

[Anonymous]

I always volunteer to work the gala at our school. My husband hates this type of event and would be very uncomfortable. We don't know people to form the table and it is all just for the popular families. By working the event I get to talk to all of the faculty and staff, I learn a few parents names and everyone is happy that someone volunteered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think about what you would tell your kids in this situation. It’s not the worst thing in the world to sit at a table with some people you don’t know for a few hours. If it were your kids, you’d encourage them to meet new people and work on their social skills, wouldn’t you? You can do the same. Best case scenario you make a new friend or two, worst case you have a meh experience and just end up talking to your spouse.

It’s ok to experience discomfort in life, you know.

OMG this is such a load of crap. This is not an event of importance. It's a frickin fundraiser for a school. If the school gets the money they need from donations, no one NEEDS to attend these stupid events.

There are plenty of times in life when we have to experience discomfort. We don't need to manufacture more so extroverted jerks can lecture introverts on how they can "stretch and grow".

Get over yourselves.

Are you sure you don't need brushing up on your social skills?

Nope. Social skills are fine. Having low tolerance for BS does not mean no social skills. Quite the opposite.

People who say that often have the very worst social skills. It's like saying "No offense, but...."

My life suggests otherwise.

Yep. Mine too!

Those that feel they have to say “social skills are fine” and things like “get over yourself” are actually much worse of than me - an introvert who feels awkward at these events but can navigate them, even though I don’t enjoy them. Now, I just don’t attend.

You would think you could just live and let live rather than freak out and call these "stupid events" and use the word "fricking" like an 8 year old. None of this suggests happy and well adjusted adult. The word choices and excess emotion betray a supposedly wonderful fulfilled life without social difficulties.

None of your quotes above were in my post, but okay.....

2+ weeks to think up a comeback and this is what you go with?

Apparently some people don't live on DCUM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m amazed at all of the people on this thread who disparage other parents at their kids’ schools as mean girls, queen bees, anoles or whatever else. You know their kids are probably just like them, right? Are your kid is friends with their kids? Your kid is learning from these people what kind of person to be. Pick a better school with a better parent community and you’ll meet nicer parents and may even enjoy yourself as a school event.

I agree with this.

....and I still don't go to these events because I'm self aware enough to know I don't enjoy them. I do like the other parents and know some of them enjoy the gala. There are quite a number of us that complain about it behind closed doors though - some people feel obligated to go even if they don't like it. I just don't feel that obligation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m amazed at all of the people on this thread who disparage other parents at their kids’ schools as mean girls, queen bees, anoles or whatever else. You know their kids are probably just like them, right? Are your kid is friends with their kids? Your kid is learning from these people what kind of person to be. Pick a better school with a better parent community and you’ll meet nicer parents and may even enjoy yourself as a school event.

I agree with this.

....and I still don't go to these events because I'm self aware enough to know I don't enjoy them. I do like the other parents and know some of them enjoy the gala. There are quite a number of us that complain about it behind closed doors though - some people feel obligated to go even if they don't like it. I just don't feel that obligation

I used to go but I don't anymore. I think they end up being more of the younger and newer parents to get involved. I write the check in support but then I say I have other plans that night. Nobody bats an eye.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should feel awkward flaunting wealth while DC Bmore metro area is having juvenile crime rates through the roof.

What crime? I thought we were told crime rates were decreasing. Until people want to seriously tackle crime, there's not much point in talking about it or putting our lives on hold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m amazed at all of the people on this thread who disparage other parents at their kids’ schools as mean girls, queen bees, anoles or whatever else. You know their kids are probably just like them, right? Are your kid is friends with their kids? Your kid is learning from these people what kind of person to be. Pick a better school with a better parent community and you’ll meet nicer parents and may even enjoy yourself as a school event.

I agree with this.

....and I still don't go to these events because I'm self aware enough to know I don't enjoy them. I do like the other parents and know some of them enjoy the gala. There are quite a number of us that complain about it behind closed doors though - some people feel obligated to go even if they don't like it. I just don't feel that obligation

I’m the PP and I get this. These kind of events aren’t for everybody. But (as an event planner) the reality is that if the schools didn’t hold the gala/party/whatever, they would raise less money (yes, even with the costs involved). Many people want to feel like they’re getting something in return for their donation. In my experience the reason for the fundraisers make it worthwhile for me, and I usually like a lot of the other parents. But IMO supporting the cure but not attending is just as good as attending.