Congratulations?

[thor01]

Now, I tink alot of things most poeople say, and especially things they say because you're "supposed" to, funny sometimes.

But in particular, I was thinking today, about people "congratulating" others,on getting "engaged". Like when someone announces it on their facebook too, they may get loads of people saying "congratulations" hah.

I have no problem with people doing this. But I just wonder why that word exactly? hah

The same applies for someone getting pregnant hah.

It makes them sound like a big "effort" aha.
Do they say it because people know that really what they're actually getting into, and therefore seeing it as a hard thing to decide to do? haha. I don't think so. That's just how I would see it as I don't planto marry, myself haha.

 

[MikeyC]

I think this is just one of those things you say, but it's still nice to congratulate people on big news such as engagements. In that case it's more like, "congratulations for finding someone so compatible you're going to marry them!"

The same applies for someone getting pregnant hah.

Or in this case, "congratulations for buying cheap condoms!"
Or, "congratulations for having unsafe sex!"
Or a range of other ones too risque for this site. xD

 

[Silatuyok]

Not to go all nerdy on you here, but the Latin root of the word congratulations simply means, "to rejoice." So, when you are congratulating someone you're not necessarily saying "good job, well done," you're saying, "I'm happy for you." It kinda makes more sense when you think about it that way.

Even though I have some friends who are popping out babies left and right (which I think is pretty gross, to be honest), I congratulate them anyway because I know they are happy to be doing it.

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

I don't do the facebook thing... but in person, I'll usually think of something else to say and try my best to sound sincere.
heh

It's really difficult to be sincere about something that could potentially be a terrible decision but perhaps that's just my pessimism kicking in?
I see so many 'kids' (pretty much) my age, getting married and shooting out babies like it's their favorite past-time; and then cheating on their spouses or getting divorced faster than the time they dated before getting married - treating their kids like crap and getting them hauled away by children's aid.
It's hard to actually take any of them seriously...
I keep those thoughts to myself, offline.

"Good for you, two! I hope you're happy."
~ cue warm smile

 

[MikeyC]

I see so many 'kids' (pretty much) my age, getting married and shooting out babies like it's their favorite past-time; and then cheating on their spouses or getting divorced faster than the time they dated before getting married - treating their kids like crap and getting them hauled away by children's aid.

It's sad, eh?

 

[MrJones]

I see so many 'kids' (pretty much) my age, getting married and shooting out babies like it's their favorite past-time; and then cheating on their spouses or getting divorced faster than the time they dated before getting married - treating their kids like crap and getting them hauled away by children's aid.

I've seen it and I think that having a baby in a home like that it's not a "great idea", as it can lead the baby to have an awful life (and I've seen it).

But of course I'm no one to say any of this, everyone is free to do what they want.




Anyway, back on topic, I say things if I mean it. If I think it can go well, I congratulate them, if I see it's a bad decision, I tell them my opinion (not rudely, of course, but still people take it badly sometimes).

 

[thor01]

I don't do the facebook thing... but in person, I'll usually think of something else to say and try my best to sound sincere.
heh

It's really difficult to be sincere about something that could potentially be a terrible decision but perhaps that's just my pessimism kicking in?
I see so many 'kids' (pretty much) my age, getting married and shooting out babies like it's their favorite past-time; and then cheating on their spouses or getting divorced faster than the time they dated before getting married - treating their kids like crap and getting them hauled away by children's aid.
It's hard to actually take any of them seriously...
I keep those thoughts to myself, offline.

"Good for you, two! I hope you're happy."
~ cue warm smile

Exactly. I feel sorry for the kids and its one of the reasons I feel it'd be unfair for me to ever attempt to reproduce haha. Not that I want to at all anyway hah.
Just seeing someone go through similar feelings of feeling left out and stuff and them no being able to handle it and knowing I brought them into this world would get to me.

It seems like many only think of themselves when they do this. They think starting a "family" will sort evrything out for them.
And also with kids, I find its abit like the saying "a puppy is for life not just for chritmas". In that often babies are given lots of affection and the gradualy people wear it off because they're expected to do that.

Of course this isn't every case! I'm sure some people are great at parentning and really want to.