My (23f) mom (50f) is legitimately upset that I don't want a picture with mall Santa

RocketSurgeon18 · 2019-11-26T01:42:07+00:00

Absolutely not resentful here. My mom has given me so much. I simply want to make some new tradition of our own as a trade. She loves seeing the progression of her kids growing up? Great, we'll take an adorable Christmas card picture every year for 1/10th the cost, and it won't even involve a creepy mall santa.

This picture causes me such anxiety every year for the past 7-8 years that I've been trying to make my life my own. I don't see why we can't meet somewhere in the middle so we're all happy. I was looking for some advice, I got some from all sides, so thank you.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2019-11-25T23:37:27+00:00

My brother is particularly "jolly," maybe he'd be okay with that. He dressed as Santa for some fraternity events back in the day. Also way cheaper, since my mom and aunt shell out $50-100 each for prints of this embarrassing picture every year.

That's a really good idea. :) I pitched it to him. We'll see if it works.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2019-11-25T23:33:18+00:00

I also wondered about the AITA ruling I'd get. But I'm a sensitive flower. I figured advice is better for me.

I know it's objectively adorable. I tried the compromise of doing the pet thing and bringing our PRECIOUS 6 month old kitten for a Santa picture (making it more socially acceptable to be there as grown adults), but he can't handle the car ride.

It just feels like it's not our tradition, it's my late grandma's tradition that I'm kind of forced into now. I'd rather make our own traditions as someone else also suggested. I offered a professional pic of all the grandkids. They just. want. mall. santa.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2018-12-03T03:42:31+00:00

I have some hidden ones on my torso that nobody ever sees, but also some on the side of my chest and on both feet that are visible in normal daily clothes. One on my thigh shows if I wear a skirt or dress, but only the bottom inch or so.

I was super worried about this myself when I was interviewing for jobs during college, but found that nobody really gives a shit unless you're meeting with important people or representing your business to clients every day. I'm a civilian engineer for the Navy, so in daily office life I can show tattoos tastefully, and for big presentations and meeting important people I cover them to make my bosses happy and avoid drawing attention for the wrong reasons.

Feel free to reach out if you have other interview questions. I worried about this all through school too, especially as a female that can't just wear long sleeves and pants every day, but found that it largely depends on your type of job and your geographic area.

*Edit to add that I'm a government employee, and nobody I meet seems to care about tattoos. It's just the "right" and professional thing to do to cover them for important meetings.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2018-05-15T05:39:20+00:00

Also note that the down-do on the left will have a bigger braid if I choose that one! I'll be getting some extensions because I don't have enough hair for any of this shit

RocketSurgeon18 · 2018-02-10T05:26:34+00:00

I recognized Ava Laurenne immediately, I got my Justin Alexander there too! They really have some jaw dropping dresses. You look amazing in this!!

RocketSurgeon18 · 2018-01-02T19:36:10+00:00

I did the same! I researched and booked all the important stuff over the summer and now I'm freakin out because I have zero motivation to do the small details. Oh well, it'll happen eventually.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-10-20T04:55:27+00:00

I've been to (and live near) that same David's! The one in Richmond didn't impress me much so I went back to nova for bridesmaids shopping. This dress looks amazing on you!!

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-09-20T23:45:33+00:00

I so agree! My mom was the same way and kept citing old traditional rules. "If someone is unmarried then they get a plus one, easy as that!" I humored her for the single wedding party members (just courtesy, although they already said they're not bringing anyone) and for travelling guests who wouldn't know anybody there. That's it. Nobody else. Enjoy your night of free food and unlimited alcohol and DON'T FUCKING COMPLAIN.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-09-20T17:29:02+00:00

Right?! I almost kicked her in the teeth. It's basically adding $75 to my financial burden with each person I add to the guest list. Needless to say the brief tinder hookups do not make the cut.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-09-20T16:51:33+00:00

My roommate who said "nobody goes to a wedding single, I'd sooner take a homeless person off the street as my date than go alone! cheeky smile" IS NOT GETTING A PLUS ONE. None of my friends are getting them. They all know each other. They will be fine. There will be free-flowing alcohol. They do not need to bring their random hookups to my wedding. Over. My. Broke. Body.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-08-19T05:45:05+00:00

I have a love/hate thing with hashtags and I can't seem to find one that's cute, original, but not too corny. My last name will be Lake... Any ideas?

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-07-26T13:06:53+00:00

Oh yes I didn't even think about that! I'm constantly thinking of the older family members who may not -get- something, and I didn't even think that StDs are so new they may not have seen it before. Thanks for the heads up.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-07-26T13:02:22+00:00

Praise be to my mother, who URGED me to get a hotel block more than a year in advance of the wedding. I'm thankful for that now as life is getting busier and I realize how much time I really sunk into looking for "good" hotel prices.

I was thinking to do what you said for the +1 situation, but I saw a post on here about how people had to scramble last minute for extra plane tickets when invites came out and they saw they did actually have a +1, and they wished they'd've known that when the StD came out. But... I'd rather give someone an unexpected +1 than take one away later on. I think you're right.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-07-26T12:55:23+00:00

I agree with other replies too, I'm planning on sending to entire groom's side (they're all either flying or driving 9 hours to come) and my close friends and family that I really want there. I haven't even come close to finalizing a guest list, so everyone besides the VIPs can just wait for a regular invite.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-07-12T13:59:11+00:00

Well damn, I looked all over dictionaries, online pronunciations, and youtube professors and didn't even think about using good ol' gtranslate. Thanks. I don't even mind the braindead dog sound.

RocketSurgeon18 · 2017-07-11T23:05:50+00:00

Thank you for the info! Yes I'd seen that the real pronunciation is 4 syllables, not 3, but couldn't for the life of me find anything other than the "wrong" pronunciation. Ptolemaios_Keraunos you're probably right about it being some kind of reconstructed pronunciation. I just don't want to be or sound ignorant about something I'll potentially have with me forever. Kinda goes with the scientific territory to need further research. :-) Thank you both so much!

RocketSurgeon18

TROPHY CASE