Having no money

[Snowy79]

I'd probably fit in well with some Filipino's attitude to birthdays. If it wasnt for Facebook sometimes I'd forget my birthday. I've never bought into the birthday propaganda. 

I'm more into celebrating achievements so I might help an older person celebrate but to me being born and living another year isn't much of an achievement in the West. 

Maybe it's the Jehovah or the Scotsman in me 

 

 

[Jack Peterson]

6 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

I'm more into celebrating achievements

So you achieved another Year alive. That is worth celebrating as you get Older 

[ClearSky]

5 hours ago, davewe said:

As a rich American my kids never went without a cake and candles; it was chump change. I suspect that my MIL does it by not spending many pesos on herself. My kids grew up in a better environment but not with better parents.

Well written ideas,  I have also seen much of the same.   For me,  I also now question what is the better environment.  I look at who is the person that my wife is vs some others that grew up western style.  They be different... ,   and..  who would I want my kids to be like.