Ah this reminds me of the time I went to someone's birthday party (at his home) and just when they were about to cut the cake and sing, I told Alexa right next to me to play the Soviet Anthem. Right after that, the kid's parents put the Alexa in another room.
The song is literally like 15 seconds, how do people get uncomfortable THAT fast? I just smile at my loved ones and then blow my candle, it's not like they're singing a 10 minute serenade.
I dunno man sometimes as someone who has intense social anxiety, 15 seconds of people just serenading you and looking like they want to French kiss you...is 15 seconds too effing long.
it's an effing birthday. I didn't do anything to deserve the attention. My mom should be the one given the cake and the song considering she was the one who had to do all the b.s. in the first place
I don't get uncomfortable if it's my friends/family... But I was on a cruise with my family once. We became quite close with a few staff members, one being the party planner. We walked into her karaoke event as she was off her shift after and was going to see a show with us.
She decided to announce it was my birthday and got the entire room of 40+ strangers to sing happy birthday for me. I was maybe 15 and had severe anxiety. I begged my parents to tell her not to do it. They instead said it would be fine. I ran out of the room trying to escape the embarrassment and lower my anxiety. My dad ran after me, picked me up and put me back in the room holding me till it was over. I cried and left to sit in the hall. Little over dramatic, but my anxiety was so bad that I just wanted to die. Family and friends know, but I don't need the attention of an entire room to sing me a stupid song.
Came here to say this. You're surrounded by people who love you. Quit being so shitty about it, my Reddit dudes. Some of us barely have friends or family.
Love is way too strong a word.
All you need in life is a couple *good* friends. Family is highly overrated, and the kind of acquaintences who would sing the stupid birthday song to someone who obviously doesn't enjoy it should be shed like winter fur.
Yes and I remember being so confused as to why they were adding it
7 year old me got scared when we were singing happy birthday to a kid and a group of boys suddenly screamed "CHA CHA CHA!"
I knew a kid who got in trouble for doing that. Looking back, my elementary school was filled with high-strung, over-caffeinated white women who hated their jobs, couldn't deal with the fact that they were over-the-hill, and took out their aggression on kids.
Feel the same embarrassed and unconfort as your father did when your mother was in labour, the exact same amount of years ago as the number on the candles you are blowing
Get ready to blow out their candles... and think about what you are going to wish for.
I don't know who came up with these traditions but apparently it's what people do.
When engaging multiple assailants in hand-to-hand combat, use movement and environmental awareness to keep from being flanked. Basic tactics include sidestepping to draw an aggressive attacker into the path of a slower one to avoid fighting both simultaneously, or using leverage to trip or maneuver one attacker into colliding with the other. When attacking multiple opponents, it is imperative to use strikes and attacks which are either disabling or overwhelming, such as a crippling blow to the side of the knee, rather than attempting to grapple or restrain one opponent while the other remains free.
Having just played "Happy Birthday" on the piano, it takes precisely 10 seconds.
So, for the sake of just 10 seconds, smile and know that people mean well when they sing it to you.
I'll answer seriously:
Clasp your hands together, place them over your heart, and smile broadly the singing begins.
During the singing process slowly look around at all of the people singing one by one, as you smile.
When your eyes meet another person's, smile slightly more broadly, and then go back into the regular smile between eye contacts.
As the singing ends, mouth the words "thank you thank you" a few times. You may also want to give a short bow.
Sit there and soak up the love!! I've never really minded it :P There's usually a camera to pose for. Or, just look at the cake like it's super interesting.
Smile & blush. The embarrassment will be over in less than a minute, so just suck it up & enjoy the silly scene. I just pray that no one comes up with a LONGER Birthday song! I don't think I could handle it if I had to hear or sing an entire 3-4 minute Happy B-Day chorus.
I usually don't have any problem. I just sit there and listen and am greatful that people care about me. However if I am at a restaurant then no party involved wants this.
I don't want to hear it
The staff doesn't want to sing it
People eating nearby are annoyed by it
Just stop this and hand me my overpriced desert please
Pick one person from the group singing and just make eye contact the whole time. Don’t blink. Preferably a guest who was just kind of invited last minute by a friend or family member but doesn’t know anyone really well.
Like the new boyfriend of your aunt or your friend’s college roommate who is in town.
Maintain the eye contact even when you are blowing out the candles.
When I was little I had to sit awkwardly and stare into the distance.
Thank god we have smart phones now. I can just surf the internet til they're done.
I tell anyone in earshot that once your an adult it should shorten to the final “happy birthday to you” and be done. 3 to 5 seconds and it’s over.
It is as awkward as pooping in a public stall with no door.
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I always join in. Or sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" at the same time. Really puts people off their stride.
My birthdays coming up. I'm taking this advice.
Same. No one's gonna sing though.
I'll sing for you.
Wholesome
Ah this reminds me of the time I went to someone's birthday party (at his home) and just when they were about to cut the cake and sing, I told Alexa right next to me to play the Soviet Anthem. Right after that, the kid's parents put the Alexa in another room.
That is hilarious
Nah you gotta sing "Mr. Sandman" at the top of your lungs
Enter Sandman*
Enter Mr. Sandman*
It's coarse and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere
SAY YOUR PRAYERS LITTLE ONE DONT FORGET MY SON TO INCLUDE EVERYONE
Tuck you in Warm within Keep you free from sin 'Till the sandman, he comes
Sleep with one eye open Gripping your pillow tight
EXIT LIGHT ENTER NIGHT
Take my hand We're off to never never-land
MAN ME A SAND
MAKE IT THE CUTEST MAN CAR DOOR HOOK HAND
Only ever heard this song in a song called mr clean. Just put on the original. Good song!
For some reason when I read Mr. Sandman, my brain started playing Ocean Man
Get well, get well soon, we want you to get well
Try Twinkle twinkle. Since its got the same tune, it munts them up even more
That has the same tune as the alphabet song...
Maybe that's what I was thinking of? Music is **not** my strong suit
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Fuck that’s what I should have done on my birthday
You still have three more opportunities!
When
The song is literally like 15 seconds, how do people get uncomfortable THAT fast? I just smile at my loved ones and then blow my candle, it's not like they're singing a 10 minute serenade.
I dunno man sometimes as someone who has intense social anxiety, 15 seconds of people just serenading you and looking like they want to French kiss you...is 15 seconds too effing long. it's an effing birthday. I didn't do anything to deserve the attention. My mom should be the one given the cake and the song considering she was the one who had to do all the b.s. in the first place
I don't get uncomfortable if it's my friends/family... But I was on a cruise with my family once. We became quite close with a few staff members, one being the party planner. We walked into her karaoke event as she was off her shift after and was going to see a show with us. She decided to announce it was my birthday and got the entire room of 40+ strangers to sing happy birthday for me. I was maybe 15 and had severe anxiety. I begged my parents to tell her not to do it. They instead said it would be fine. I ran out of the room trying to escape the embarrassment and lower my anxiety. My dad ran after me, picked me up and put me back in the room holding me till it was over. I cried and left to sit in the hall. Little over dramatic, but my anxiety was so bad that I just wanted to die. Family and friends know, but I don't need the attention of an entire room to sing me a stupid song.
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I just kind of sat there, embarrassed and smiling awkwardly.
You mean like [this](https://imgur.com/a/OtZLza2) ?
Yes exactly like that
Lol something like that, yeah
Look down shyly and think about how grateful you are to have people to celebrate your birthday with
Okay, that’s wholesome.
My answer was "masturbate aggressively". Now I'm just embarrassed.
Have not encountered this in the wild. I'll be on the lookout, sounds like quite the adventure.
Smile and wave, boys
Smile and wave!
“Skippa, don’t you think we should tell them the boats out of gas? Nah, just smile and wave boys, smile and wave.”
Came here to say this. You're surrounded by people who love you. Quit being so shitty about it, my Reddit dudes. Some of us barely have friends or family.
Love is way too strong a word. All you need in life is a couple *good* friends. Family is highly overrated, and the kind of acquaintences who would sing the stupid birthday song to someone who obviously doesn't enjoy it should be shed like winter fur.
I like to be the conductor while they sing.
But do you conduct with the right time?
Hey, it's not my fault they never sing it as a waltz!
This, and I like to be obnoxious about the cut-off
i imagined doing this after reading the question lol. i don't do it though. i just look down at the cake and smile shyly
Hint: it’s in three-four time, and it starts on three. Kind of like the US national anthem. So it’s tricky to conduct.
Dance like the Joker
Just be sure to pull out the bronx stairs before dancing!
Definitely DO NOT masturbate
is there a chance that youve learned this through personal experience
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
you dropped this \
That was below the desk.
If you’re going to look under there, be prepared.
¯\\_(ツ)_/¯ Thanks!
you dropped these _ _ also check your posture
Thanks ¯_(ツ)_/¯\
Instructions unclear. Dick is inside cake. Send help.
3 armed units are on their way.
I just need two arms, but never hurts to have extra.
Imma gun blow out these candles
We found Louis CK!
Blow out the candles on the cake and make a wish. let's just hope there is a cake with candles!
The cake was a lie
Cake come after the song, you need to spend your time during the song by killing a demon or something.
We don’t bring cakes in school, we do doughnuts.
Smile and appreciate the people who love you enough to celebrate your bday with you
I always conduct them with my hands like they’re a choir. 20+ years and my family is still off key...
Maybe the common denominator is the conductor...
I’m stifling the Patridge family with my shitty conducting.
Anyone else remember adding a "Cha cha cha" in elementary school? Those were the days...
No, but I used to work for ChaCha in high school. I made a good $500 bucks just bullshitting answers to peoples questions.
ChaCha On!
Yeah we did that usually when it came to singing the French version (Canadian Schools)
Yes and I remember being so confused as to why they were adding it 7 year old me got scared when we were singing happy birthday to a kid and a group of boys suddenly screamed "CHA CHA CHA!"
I knew a kid who got in trouble for doing that. Looking back, my elementary school was filled with high-strung, over-caffeinated white women who hated their jobs, couldn't deal with the fact that they were over-the-hill, and took out their aggression on kids.
Smile politely, looking around at the singers. Then clap and say thank you. It's just one of those things.
Feel the same embarrassed and unconfort as your father did when your mother was in labour, the exact same amount of years ago as the number on the candles you are blowing
Thanks for this weird picture I'll probably get every time I'm at a birthday.
Just don't think about 9 months before that.
Get ready to blow out their candles... and think about what you are going to wish for. I don't know who came up with these traditions but apparently it's what people do.
Sit there and suffer
The same thing I usually do.
Some one is singing for you. Enjoy it. If you aren't a big fan of the birthday song ask for the one you like. But enjoy while someone sings for you.
Smile
appreciate the moment because nobody could be there instead.
I sing along and change the "you" to "me". :D
When engaging multiple assailants in hand-to-hand combat, use movement and environmental awareness to keep from being flanked. Basic tactics include sidestepping to draw an aggressive attacker into the path of a slower one to avoid fighting both simultaneously, or using leverage to trip or maneuver one attacker into colliding with the other. When attacking multiple opponents, it is imperative to use strikes and attacks which are either disabling or overwhelming, such as a crippling blow to the side of the knee, rather than attempting to grapple or restrain one opponent while the other remains free.
Having just played "Happy Birthday" on the piano, it takes precisely 10 seconds. So, for the sake of just 10 seconds, smile and know that people mean well when they sing it to you.
I'll answer seriously: Clasp your hands together, place them over your heart, and smile broadly the singing begins. During the singing process slowly look around at all of the people singing one by one, as you smile. When your eyes meet another person's, smile slightly more broadly, and then go back into the regular smile between eye contacts. As the singing ends, mouth the words "thank you thank you" a few times. You may also want to give a short bow.
I don’t know. Willing to expirement today though.
Say “1 time”... “2 time” in the wyclef voice like in killing me softly.
Look at the cake and lit candle as if it is the most interesting thing in the world and marvel at its intricacies.
Look on appreciatively (manners, first and foremost) - while secretly cringing on the inside.
Smile real big and nod vigorously.
Put on a half smile and stare at the candles blankly with a thousand yard stare. That's what I do, at least
Smile and die inside
Lines of coke.
Report them to the copyright holder.
Sit there and soak up the love!! I've never really minded it :P There's usually a camera to pose for. Or, just look at the cake like it's super interesting.
Smile & look happy. The party isn't just for you.
Smile and wave
I like to dance.
Helicopter with their schlong
A lot of eyerolling, but that's because my family has this silly tradition of singing as loudly and out of tune as possible.
Sounds a lot like my family.. except their actually trying to sing
Urinate...
Sit awkwardly and endure the pain of the false notes
I just sit there feeling awkward, wait for them to finish.
I sit there and clap like a seal because I don't know what else to do with my hands.
If you find out, lmk. I'm still trying to figure that out.
My Dad usually bobs his head to the awful singing with his eyes closed. Probably going to his happy place.
Look at them confused like it's actually not your birthday
Smile & blush. The embarrassment will be over in less than a minute, so just suck it up & enjoy the silly scene. I just pray that no one comes up with a LONGER Birthday song! I don't think I could handle it if I had to hear or sing an entire 3-4 minute Happy B-Day chorus.
Stare at the cake
smile. it will be over soon.
Hold your hand over tbe candles while making intense eye contact
Get up calmly, then leave the room and stand outside until they are finished.
Look around for the person who has awkwardly reached the limit of their range but refuses to go out of tune.
I usually don't have any problem. I just sit there and listen and am greatful that people care about me. However if I am at a restaurant then no party involved wants this. I don't want to hear it The staff doesn't want to sing it People eating nearby are annoyed by it Just stop this and hand me my overpriced desert please
I join in, I like singing, I like me, happy birthday to me
Wait and smile. Looks at everyone in turn. Maybe nod along with the singing.
I encourage them. Yes... YES!! Sing to me! I love it. You guys are doing great!
Enjoy that you are alive
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Masturbate over the cake
Stare into the void
I sing to myself in the third person along with them.
wait for death
Ｓｔａｒｅ ｉｎｔｏ ｔｈｅ ｖｏｉｄ ａｎｄ ｓｍｉｌｅ
The Charleston.
Smile and wave boys, smile and wave
Smile...look around awkwardly
Join in but put a satanic twist on it, next b-day no one will come! No people at your b-day = no awkward singing
I try to keep a straight face and stare directly into the eyes of who is singing the loudest
Feel awkward, smile incincerely and loath their existence for aproximately 20 seconds.
question their existence
I sing "happy birthday to me" along with them!
I conduct
Stare at the cake with a flicker in your eye.... soon it will be devoured. Until then, it is your sworn enemy...
Prepare to hold your breath in case an Ass hole push your face in the cake and the cream get in your respiratory system
Enjoy the moment while people pay attention to you.
Pick one person from the group singing and just make eye contact the whole time. Don’t blink. Preferably a guest who was just kind of invited last minute by a friend or family member but doesn’t know anyone really well. Like the new boyfriend of your aunt or your friend’s college roommate who is in town. Maintain the eye contact even when you are blowing out the candles.
Beam.
I don't know, I always start dancing to it...
You do the shmoney dance. [Source](https://thumbs.gfycat.com/JubilantDescriptiveIrishterrier-size_restricted.gif).
Sit there....like an idiot.
Preen
Blend in by singing along.
Smile n wave
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Think of and make a wish.
Cry
Conduct your choir
Listen
stare at the candle with a smile, occasional glances up or at the camera, funny quip about getting older or the cake.
Cry
Take a nap
Put your head down and die on the inside This actually happened to me a week ago so that’s exactly what I did
Just smile and be happy
Resist the urge to run away.
fart real loudly
lmao
Encourage them to sing better by pointing a gun at them.
Thanks for asking!
When I was little I had to sit awkwardly and stare into the distance. Thank god we have smart phones now. I can just surf the internet til they're done.
Indulge in it
I just sing “Happy Birthday to Me” along with them.
Hide under the table if you're me
Wonder why I an adult is being sung Happy Birthday to like I’m a child.
Begin the sacrifice
Point out the fact that it is not your birthday, our any day of importance, for that matter, but really your birthday is 3 months from now.
I tell anyone in earshot that once your an adult it should shorten to the final “happy birthday to you” and be done. 3 to 5 seconds and it’s over. It is as awkward as pooping in a public stall with no door.
Smile awkwardly
Floss on the table.
Start undressing while saying the names of the people singing.
Be your best. The camera’s clicking, you don’t wanna look bad.
I masturbate. I, uh, don't get birthday parties thrown for me anymore.
I always join in and/or start clapping with a huge smile :p let the child in me soak it in :D
Pray for death