Birthdays

[walfin]

Why the significance?

To my knowledge most cultures celebrate birthdays. But for some cultures certain events could be more significant than birthdays (Bar Mitzvah for instance).

What would a culture which didn't celebrate birthdays be like?

 

[Jennywocky]

What about cultures where the person with the birthday gave presents to all their friends instead?

 

[BigApplePi]

What would a culture which didn't celebrate birthdays be like?

There is the expression, "What goes around comes around." If there were no birthdays, the Earth would go off flying into space and there would be no easy way to get it back. That's why birthdays are popular.

They also are a way to tell how old one is.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Why the significance?

To my knowledge most cultures celebrate birthdays. But for some cultures certain events could be more significant than birthdays (Bar Mitzvah for instance).

What would a culture which didn't celebrate birthdays be like?

I think these kind of the traditions were non-existent prior to the invention of calendars.
Some sects have implemented dogma against birthdays.
I find the idea of celebrating one's own date of birth quite ridiculous, to be honest.
Firstly, it is narcissistic.
Secondly, celebrating other people's birthday is opportunistic.
Thirdly, the actual day of birth is not celebrated, because the gregorian calendar is incredibly flawed.
It's a crazy idea.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

There is the expression, "What goes around comes around." If there were no birthdays, the Earth would go off flying into space and there would be no easy way to get it back. That's why birthdays are popular.

They also are a way to tell how old one is.

You funny man!

But why do we have to put a number on it?
Can't you tell an old man from a young boy otherwise?

 

[.........................]

There is the expression, "What goes around comes around." If there were no birthdays, the Earth would go off flying into space and there would be no easy way to get it back. That's why birthdays are popular.

They also are a way to tell how old one is.

Exactly, how else would we preserve Earth.

And of course, we can only judge intelligence by the amount of times someone has gone around the sun. How would we judge someones intelligence without birthdays, would people even gain intellectual abilities without the advent of birthdays?

I have always hated birthdays, usually one of the worst days of the year for me. I don't act well when people focus on me, so I just abuse everyone and act very hostile. A culture that didn't celebrate birthdays seems fairly good to me.