Enjoying anticipation, or a complete surprise!

I don’t like surprises. Fortunately my family have never sprung any on me. Sometimes I have pre-empted the possibility by arranging something myself.

M0nica

Casdon

I’m talking about surprises where you know on the day M0nica, for example when I get a message saying ‘we’re out tonight, wear jeans and a warm coat’. I would like a surprise party too, I’d find that much less stressful than thinking about it for months in advance. It’s not a surprise, as you say, if you get given tickets for something weeks or months ahead. Obviously unexpected bad things happen too, and nobody likes those, but I took the original thread to mean events.

But what happens when the surprise is jumped on you when you are already committed to something else that evening and you cannot reorganise, or even an evening when you were actually looking forward to a quiet evening at home because you were really tired, or feeling slightly less than well?

I can deal with the unexpected and I do not lack spontanaity, but I hate surprises.

It’s not happened, because they find out what I’m doing without me realising I’ve been sounded out I guess. I can’t imagine turning down the chance to do something because I’m tired, because once I’m out I forget about the tiredness until I get home. I’m sure I can’t be alone in this?

I have mixed feelings. I always do enjoy them when they happen to me, but then I have a few very organized family members who would make sure everything was taken care of, and that you were dressed for the event (some other excuse made up).

For instance, I retired at the end of March. I had a nice luncheon at work, and knew DH had planned a dinner with friends. I didn't realize that the dinner included all the family, some friends, and some of the long time work mates came as well. There was a lovely speech and some gifts. It was unexpected, but I still think of it with warm memories.

On the other hand, for my late MIL's 90th birthday, my SIL planned a surprise party for her. I was against it, just because it can be so overwhelming, and because of her age. Once again, she knew she was going out for a nice lunch at a fancy hotel, but didn't expect all her neighbours, church group, etc. She had a lovely time; was the belle of the ball, so to speak. So I was wrong to be against it, just because it was so well planned.

I love surprise visitors who just knock the door without phoning or messaging. As a child we never had visitors and often weren't allowed to answer the door to anyone for reasons I can't go into here. All my family have an open door policy except my DIL who is on the appointments system. One friend is also on appointments often a week in advance. Can't really be bothered with that.
I visit to see people not how nice their home is, and my visitors accept me as I am or don't need to bother coming.