Holy Sunbeds Batman!

Mexicola

I heard something recently that quite disturbed me... the latest thing is is for kids to go on sunbeds in preparation for the fashion-jones-fest that is today's Holy Communion and Confirmation. Way back in the mid-80's when I did mine there wasnt the same type of 'competitiveness' (if you can call it that) to look good. Also the amount of money handed out to kids these days is unreal. I remember getting 21 punts for my communion and 40 quid for the confirmation.
I guess we should all thank the Celtic tiger for it. I guess between getting the kids dressed up, having money for other kids and the meal/celebrations afterwards, it costs a pretty penny! :rolleyes:


Money makes the world go round and Ireland a horrible place.

Ruu_Old

Ah we had to wear our school uniform for our confirmation, the other school that we had to share the church with had just regular everyday clothes. No one cared what you looked like, alot of my friends got considerably more money than I did (or so they said, probably more lies ). It was indeed more about the money. Sunbeds, thats one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

Miguel_Sanchez

Kids on sunbeds = Child abuse.

Simple as that.

Flukey

You only heard of this recently? This has been going on for a long time. Thankfully though, they are restricting this in new laws, so kids can't be put on sunbeds like that. I think they are banning sunbed outlets allowing under 16s to use them. Imposing it will be hard, though obviously not for Communion children, but it is a good idea.

brown*eyed*girl

Things have changed so much its unreal. The sunbed thing is disgraceful but if parents want to go all out and celebrate in style then good luck to them. I did for my daughter's communion and confirmation. We had 50 people sitting down for a meal and I hired a function room and a dj. It was a brilliant day. She says its one of the best days of her life. I wouldn't put myself in debt to do it but I saved up for months in advance to have such a special day which it was. A girl in her school had a limo bring her to the church, now that's going a bit over the top even for me!

I think all celebrations are getting more and more extravagant like christenings, birthdays, communions and confirmations but if you have the money then why not?

I come from a large extended family and our family functions are always a bit over the top as we love when we can all get together which is usually at these functions.

r3nu4l

Mexicola wrote:

Way back in the mid-80's when I did mine there wasnt the same type of 'competitiveness' (if you can call it that) to look good.

Hmm I made my communion and confirmation in the early and mid 80's and there was definitely competition. I clearly remember that the kids from the council estate had far better clothes than I did for their communions. I lived in a non-council estate but only because my parents worked every hour they could to affor the deposit and then the mortgage. The boys had the Miami Vice suits (with skinny leather ties :rolleyes: and the girls had very expensive dresses. I remember very clearly getting slagged off because I didn't have the latest fashions! So thankfully our school made us wear our uniforms for our confirmation thus saving my blushes!

fade2black

Great thread title.

Mexicola

brown*eyed*girl wrote:

... if parents want to go all out and celebrate in style then good luck to them.

Ah yea... the celebration thing is fine... it was more the sunbed thing that I thought was a bit mad! Is it because parents want their kids to look good or they themselves to appear as good parents. Probably both! All show...

monkeyfudge

I wore a purple suit for my confirmation as I wanted to look like The Joker. Batman was in the cinema at the time. (tying in nicely with the thread title there)

But parties with over 50 guests and a DJ? That's sounds like a wannabe Bar Mitzvah.

Newaglish

I remember for my confirmation, I just wore my school uniform but with a navy jumper instead of the usual green. I didn't care, neither did my parents! I didn't get much money, although some kids got x hundred pounds, it didn't really bother me. Same with the whole "I got 42 easter eggs, what about you?" kinda crap they come out with.

It's a very Irish thing, I find, to be competitve about the stupidest things, especially holy occassions, like communion, confirmation, christmas, etc.! Odd, I think.

smallpaws

the latest thing is is for kids to go on sunbeds in preparation for the fashion-jones-fest that is today's Holy Communion and Confirmation

That's the stupidest fcuking thing I've heard in ages.



*If this were Planet Smallpaws, those parents would be dragged from their houses out into the street and beaten within an inch of their lives just for thinking about it, let alone doing it.*

Heyes

I cant believe kids are on sunbeds, most probable dont even know what they are, certainly some parents imput in that. That is disgracefull :eek: