Chat With Nat: A serious case of the birthday blues
Dear Nat,
Last week was my birthday. I've made a lot of new friends here at Fanshawe since starting here in September, and I thought it would be a lot of fun for us all to go bowling together. I reserved three lanes, figuring about 10 to 15 people would come. I got to the bowling alley about 30 minutes before I told everyone to show up, super excited for the fun to begin. But the fun never did begin — not a single one of the 20 “friends” I invited showed. I waited for over an hour and a half before I decided to give up. I'm embarrassed and ashamed, and I'm out some money too, as I had to put down a deposit on the lanes I rented. How can I show my face to those 20 people ever again?
- Birthday Schmirthday
Dear Birthday Schmirthday,
I'm sorry this happened to you, and of all days on your birthday! Sounds like these “friends” aren't that reliable and should be kicked to the curb.
But before doing anything drastic, consider every angle of this situation. To be frank, it seems a bit suspicious that all 20 friends decided not to show. Have you checked the invitations? Maybe the date and time were wrong! Did you get an RSVP from anyone saying they could attend? Did anyone respond to your message when you texted them 30 minutes prior to the event? If not, it's probably because everyone was, in fact, too busy to party that night. There's a bunch of factors that I sense you might be overlooking.
Furthermore, try reaching out to someone you find yourself closest with within that group of friends. Tackle the situation head-on and ask why they themselves decided not to show up. Their response will play a crucial part in deciding whether or not these friendships are worth continuing.
As for facing these people again, do it with confidence. Don't go out of your way to be kind and courteous to them (as they weren't to you), but hold your head high, walk tall and always remember to smile — there's no classier way to settle a score than by looking happy and unfazed.
Finally, if you're tight for cash and let's be honest, what student isn't), then contact the bowling arena and see if they'd reconsider and give you back even a portion of the down deposit. Explain your situation and they might side with your dilemma.
If you've got a query for Quinlan, shoot her an email at chatwithnat.fsu@gmail.com. All published questions will be entered into monthly random draws to win a $10 FSU coupon for Oasis and Out Back Shack.
Last week was my birthday. I've made a lot of new friends here at Fanshawe since starting here in September, and I thought it would be a lot of fun for us all to go bowling together. I reserved three lanes, figuring about 10 to 15 people would come. I got to the bowling alley about 30 minutes before I told everyone to show up, super excited for the fun to begin. But the fun never did begin — not a single one of the 20 “friends” I invited showed. I waited for over an hour and a half before I decided to give up. I'm embarrassed and ashamed, and I'm out some money too, as I had to put down a deposit on the lanes I rented. How can I show my face to those 20 people ever again?
- Birthday Schmirthday
Dear Birthday Schmirthday,
I'm sorry this happened to you, and of all days on your birthday! Sounds like these “friends” aren't that reliable and should be kicked to the curb.
But before doing anything drastic, consider every angle of this situation. To be frank, it seems a bit suspicious that all 20 friends decided not to show. Have you checked the invitations? Maybe the date and time were wrong! Did you get an RSVP from anyone saying they could attend? Did anyone respond to your message when you texted them 30 minutes prior to the event? If not, it's probably because everyone was, in fact, too busy to party that night. There's a bunch of factors that I sense you might be overlooking.
Furthermore, try reaching out to someone you find yourself closest with within that group of friends. Tackle the situation head-on and ask why they themselves decided not to show up. Their response will play a crucial part in deciding whether or not these friendships are worth continuing.
As for facing these people again, do it with confidence. Don't go out of your way to be kind and courteous to them (as they weren't to you), but hold your head high, walk tall and always remember to smile — there's no classier way to settle a score than by looking happy and unfazed.
Finally, if you're tight for cash and let's be honest, what student isn't), then contact the bowling arena and see if they'd reconsider and give you back even a portion of the down deposit. Explain your situation and they might side with your dilemma.
If you've got a query for Quinlan, shoot her an email at chatwithnat.fsu@gmail.com. All published questions will be entered into monthly random draws to win a $10 FSU coupon for Oasis and Out Back Shack.
