I'm trying to think of logical reasons why we engage in celebratory events for the sake of friends and family when we have no personal desire to do so. I am throwing a little birthday dinner party together for my guy and it has managed to balloon out to potentially his whole immediate family attending as well. I suppose I am fin with that-it means more work that I had expected, but I can manage. The part that baffles me is his admission that he is only doing this for his family, not for himself. I informed him that there's no need to go through with it if he would rather be doing other things with his time-it is his birthday after all. He insisted we go ahead but I feel a bit like he is being dragged into what will likely be a tense meal with his family and mine in which he will only grudgingly engage. That sound like no fun, for him or anyone else. I would certainly rather have a night free of hosting than have to play that role if he has no real interest in the product. Last time I checked, I was doing this for him-to give him a few hours off from his crazy busy life to enjoy a beer and some home-cooked food...both things he loves.
So, the question of the day is-why do we plan for such measures of pomp and circumstance when in reality no one really wants to be involved? Likely, life would be more pleasant, less stressful and more satisfying if we did not push such measures, right? So where is the motive to create tension where there does not have to be any?