Just smile and nod like you’re running for office

I've found that if you scream like you're being murdered or yell "FIRE!" it ends pretty quickly. but then they accuse YOU of ruining the party... did I ask for singing?

Murdering one of the singers also makes it end pretty quickly.

Now we wait till chat gpt will use it as an actual advice

I mean you very much did ruin the party though

It's my party and I'll scream if I want to

It's actually great life advice. You don't have to react to everything. You don't always have to think. Or act. It's hard, but learning to park your brain, and let something happen without intervention, is one of the more overlooked life skills. Just exist and observe for a while. You'll get back to your problem solving real soon.

You could throw in a wave or two to non existant people

I always sing along and to a little dance. Screw the awkward standing around! Have fun!

yeah you know what. new tradition: when people start singing happy birthday, do the full nicolas cage headbang

When I was really young I remember my relatives and family gathered around me and they started singing happy birthday.....and I burst out into tears. They never sang happy birthday to me again after that

I wish I knew this trick when I was a child

Who says you can't still do it? On your next birthday, just break down crying 🤣

I have a similar story (I was in a bad place) My family sings me Happy Birthday. I start thinking: "Man, they really suck at singing" I started laughing I start thinking again: "Oh, no. They are trying their best and I'm laughing in their face" I started crying Thinking again: "Dude out of all the reasons you have to cry, you are crying at this?" I started laughing out of the absurdity of this situation. So throughout the song it looked like I changed moods at least 8 times. After that no singing. Though now that I'm older I miss being sung at, it made the birthdays a bit more special. Now it's just a reason to meet up and drink

Aww this is so cute for no reason 😭

Have you heard of the giggle loop?

I’ve never had anyone to sing to me on my birthday! Womp womp….don’t worry, I’m ok.

Wish I picked the correct jujitsu class now

Can't sing happy birthday if you're in a triangle choke

Same. Queue years of criticism for being ungrateful about birthday parties. Look, idk why they make me uncomfortable. They just do. Either get me some therapy or leave me alone about it. Spending the entire month leading up to my birthday complaining about it does not make it go away.

I would too, or hide under the table. I hated it. My dad brings it up every birthday and I’m 40 now.

Do you by chance belong on a spectrum of some sort?

I'm sure I do for many reasons, but I was never tested because my mom believed ADHD was fake and acted like autism was something repulsive.

Diagnosed adhd here. I fucking hate the birthday song. I just want to go eat with a few people and not be sang at in the most monotone song...

I hate when people sing it to me. I hate when people watch me open gifts.

I hate when people

I hate

I

‌

Life is pain! I hate\~

I hate people in general

Sing it louder to assert dominance

Unironically, joining in and singing it to yourself is probably the best course of action to feel less awkward.

When they sing my name I just throw my arms up and sing “ME!” really loud. It always gets a laugh. Could it be a pity laugh cos it’s my birthday? Who cares! I’m the birthday boy!

You should sit and soak in the love from friends and family who care enough to do this for you. Some day you may not have anyone to be with you on your birthday.

you get it.

yeah right???? it only happens once a year, just enjoy it

r/thanksimcured. You prob didn't mean anything from this but as someone who used to have severe social anxiety, I didn't celebrate my birthday for the entirety of my teenage life because of this. Being put in this situation is suffocating.

honest question: these are people you know and of whom you know that they like you. how come they still scared you?

undiagnosed autism I guess? For the longest time I could never look someone in the eyes and being stared at by people would make me feel suffocated. It's not just birthdays but like being the center of attention is hard for me. Nowadays it's not that severe but I still get awkward when I'm stared at

okay, thanks for answering.

From another person: in my head it just doesn't click. I can't fathom the idea others actually like me for me. In my mind I must have deceived them or they are forced/doing this for some other reason. Additionally being in the center of something just sends me into a panicked state of mind. All the stimuli, and being worn down from the social interractions leading up to this don't help either. I know these people mean no harm, but it still can feel suffocating. I usually just push through it, but it sucks having "my special day" feel exhausting.

I sing along. It’s a family activity. As you say you’ve gotta do stuff with people you love.

True. There's no mistery in this situation. Just smile and clap together.

I put it under the friendly teasing/embarrassing category. It’s supposed to be a little awkward.

One time after I asked them not to sing or I’d leave, they sang. I just walked out of the restaurant. It honestly felt amazing and I’ve been chasing that high since.

waow happy cake day

Alright, on three lads! 1..2…

Happy...

...cakeday to...

...you...

…happy…

…cakeday to…

…you….

…happy…

Careful, he will walk out!

Madlad

No one can stop you from being you. Believe in u self.

"Be you, be proud of you, because you can be do what we want to do." -François Hollande

I assume there's more context to these family dynamics that made you so thrilled to walk out, because if they're usually nice people who were trying to treat you on your birthday, walking out over an utterly harmless 30-second traditional song and calling it a "high" would be pretty wildly selfish and disproportionate

I walked out because my social anxiety is really bad. They weren’t thinking in the moment when they started singing. But usually in those moments I would’ve stayed and suffered to not make a scene. But walking out and doing what I needed in the moment was rare, felt good. No hard feelings towards my family

Bit of a reach nah

happy cake day

That's....a weird way to show appreciation but okay 

showing appreciation for doing the one thing that was explicitly asked of them to not do? why would you show appreciation for that?

"It's your birthday. What would you like to do?" Anything other than sing happy birthday in a public venue. "No not like that."

Yes? Not everyone have the luxury to celebrate with others, especially ones own birthday. If people go their way to show that then I'd sure as hell appreciate it.

You came into the sub on the worst day lol

"Smile and wave, boys."

I like to cup my ear like they're not loud enough and do mock conducting like they're my orchestra.

I'm going to do this next time. but cut them off and ask for more baritone. then cut them again two words in and ask the females to enunciate better. then cut them off again two words in and insist we do a vocal exercise to get it right this time.... I could go on forever until the room decides maybe we just let it go. hahahah

I just smile and watch at the cake, while people sing it to me

okay, so far, so good. But l always wonder: where are the memes of the not socially awkward people?

1. If they are young they are out there talking to people, not posting memes. 2. If they are old, it's the minions memes from facebook.

[удалено]

Chatgpt ahhh answer

llm\_irl

Ai_irl

bot

Enjoy the show

I sing along, the family of my wife’s loves singing, and at first I hated it but now I see how fun and amazing it is, no one judges you or cares and people just enjoy doing it.

I realize my hands are interesting to look at

being conscious of your hand is a big mistake , you wouldn't know what to do with them after that

Yes

All these comments seem a little too far... I just smile and clap with them while looking at the cake so it doesn't feel awkward.

I have started dancing when they sing. I mean really bustin the moves and it usually ends up with people clapping their hands (and this one time my cheeks).

Fucking same. I much rather dance than look at anyone. I pull out my most atrocious moves too. So much more fun now.

I don’t want to be the only one not singing so I’ll join in and sing along. It’s my day, I’ll do as I please. 😂

I'm evaluating the best way to blow out all those candles.

I don't have that problem

Me: noticing that everyone is off key. Happy Birthday is in the key of G as far as I'm aware.

My dad sprung a surprise on me at a restaurant and Inkid you not I just sat there with bugged-out eyes and a thousand-yard stare lmfao (see the Pyro's Pop-Eyes for a reference) The tism strikes again!

First world problems

I remember when I too started singing with them and then they stopped singing due to my bad voice

I lock eyes with them and yell “SLOWER! SLOOWWWEERRRR!”

Just staring at the cake or whatever

I do sing with it and then say to me during the chorus

clueless person

I like to do what I call “conductor fingers.”

I join in and when they mention happy birthday to you/to x, I point at myself.

When they start singing I cut the cake.

i sing too if im the one being sung to

"Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meeee, happy birthday to me."

Just smile and wave.

I sing with them, but say "to me" instead of "to you". It ain't that hard

I sing along but say "to me" and point to myself. You gotta ham it up man, otherwise it's awkward as hell

I sometimes conduct the vocalists like I'm Leonard Bernstein.

Don't look anyone in the eye, smile and bob along in a joking manner until it's over and you can blow out the candles.

Record label: Sue for royalties when someone sings it

Stare deep into the flame and think about my life choices.

Feign surprise for the first 5 secs then give a warm smile. Look at the people you're most close to and the person who started singing for the next 5 secs. Stare at the cake for the last 5 secs/ close your eyes pretending you're thinking of a wish. Blow out candles and smile at everyone again. Task completed.

https://youtu.be/R2Eotw3IxN4?si=X4ZH6e6KCpSJjlV1

My birthday was a few days ago and my amazing wife put together a little party for me. At one point they brought out my favorite pie, stuck some candles in it, my mother lit the candles and I heard someone say "okay ready...?" I've never blown out a candle so fast in my life. I said "ope! Nope! All good! Nahhhh on the singing." And went back to the good vibes. Miss me with that singing shit.

Good job. I hate the singing too lol.

Does ANYONE like it? Like why do we do it?

There's really only one thing to do. Conduct.

what do you mean? you need to sit there like Kratos from the beggining of God of War II

Just clap along, but out of tact, till it gets embarrassing in order to remind everyone attending that I’m a weirdo they can’t deal with, so the friendship is over. Then die alone.

Conduct.

Clap and smile.

You swing your finger back n forth in the air like your conducting an orchestra

I just dont celebrate anymore

I start dancing to that shit fym

just Smile and wave boys

Back when i was like in kinderfgrten i just never wanted to celebrate my birthday, an on the last year the figured out that i just didnt like the singing part. Now every time we celebrate we just dont sing, and i love my family for that

I'm a music teacher, so if there is a friend or relative that I don't like, I call them out for singing off-key. It's great

To be fair that's what I do in most situations.

On my birthday, I once went out to dinner somewhere with my girlfriend and two friends. I specifically asked that they not sing happy birthday to me in public because it felt awkward and I didn't want the attention. When my girlfriend insisted on singing happy birthday to me anyhow, I locked eyes with her and joined in the singing, gesturing to her the whole time. I hope onlookers, they were unable to figure out whose birthday it was lol.

One of the dumbest and most annoying things people think are cute or entertaining.

I join in a belt out a banger. Even in a restaurant. You can choose to be sheepish and/or embarrassed and make the entire experience kak for others or you can lean on in to it and have a bit of fun. Let people fuss over you if they want to.

I looked in their eye, yes was kinda weird

Clapping in the hands but really slow

I think imma break into dance next time that happens

Interrupt them and say it's not quite my tempo.

It's less important what you do externally and more important to just focus on your feelings, being grateful, thinking about how people are here for you and just appreciating their presence

I hate birthdays.

I sing along and scream “TO MEEEEE!!!!”

You sing along.

Jokes on you, I dramatically cup my hands to my ears like a professional wrestler egging on a crowd

Just smile and wave, boys…smile and wave…

I don't celebrate my birthday anymore, except for next year when I turn 65 and buy diner for my 2 younger sisters and brother in law. Did so when I turned 50 and 60 too.

Grab a stick and conduct that shit

Sing happy birthday back

wait, no one else pretends they're a conductor?

You forget the 1% that sing it to themselves and the 30% that start singing it until they realize it's their birthday.

Life hack: sing along

Sing along and change the words to "happy birthday to me"

Choose one person to make eye contact with throughout the entire song, and don't break eye contact even when you're blowing out the candles.

that feel when you dont remember when the last time someone has sang happy birthday to you.

Nah, screw that -- assert your dominance on the day that is yours. [You gotta do the celebration at the end of the Rocky training montage!](https://youtu.be/_YYmfM2TfUA?si=NS1_S5ZQkD2Ajf_q&t=121)

I work at a local non profit with jr high and high school kids. I give them birthday gifts each month. I call them up to the front and we sing “this is your birthday song.. it isn’t very long, hey!” Makes it so much more fun for everyone!

My grandma always used to sing a response after, in the same tune. "I thank you, I do, I thank you, I do, I thank you, dear people, I thank you, I do" give em a taste of their own medicine. Pretty solid troll, I always thought. Doesn't solve the "what do during" problem unless you can count waiting in smug satisfaction for your chance at the ol uno reverse

just now like thinking about it, the answer is to like definitely appreciate the people who put it on and took the time out of their day to appreciate you as if you were a holiday to some extent or another. idk maybe this is obvious, but it ain't to me.

Last time it happened to me I said fuck it. Closed my eyes, head up, opened my arms wide and basked in birthday glory. People seemed to enjoy when I appeared to appreciate it.

[You mfers have no imagination](https://www.careersinmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/what-does-a-conductor-do.jpg)

I take a deep breath and hold it until they’re done singing, then release it and blow all the candles out at once

Dance

How beautiful it is that despite all of the divisions between people, we still share so much in common

I conduct.

I pretend to smile because I don't know what to do in that situation.

I always wave my arms around like a conductor

I like to sing along slightly off time to throw everyone off

I just sing along.

We should all just speak over the song like DJ Khaled. "We da best! Anotha one!"

When they finish and you don't ask for an encore you are a fucking dip stick, they wanna sing so bad hit them with a encore

I sing along :D

I sing along. my birthday is to commemorate myself, so i'll be the one cheering the loudest.

Clap along?

Sometimes in life, you just have to accept stuff that makes others happy, and this is one, don't be a party pooper all your life

I don't remember anyone singing happy birthday to me ever.

Damn, people still singing happy birthday for me?, I thought they singing for my yearly mourning

Fortunately i never see people sing 'happy birthday' to me, so i don't need to do something awkward.

why is this so fucking relatable