I don't think it's much of a big thing in Canada, but do people go to their high school reunions and make it a big thing like the movie? I doubt it's like senior prom, and doubt many go.
Please correct me if I've got it all wrong...
Okay, my 2nd response will be much longer and detailed about class reunions, in this particular case, I'm thinking of my high school reunions, but it can probably be applied to most schooling during that age range. I should note, without trying to sound like a blowhard, I do all the planning for our reunions, I have about six of us on the planning committee. I am the Emcee, and enjoy speaking in front of large crowds, ESPECIALLY, my high school. Best 4 years of my life. I say all this, to be taken into context when reading my response.
Lastly, I can say with all confidence, I'm sort of an "expert" on this topic, having arranged, talked to many of "you" on the phone, when inviting, talked to many at the events, talked to many on Facebook etc, etc. I've heard just about every "excuse," every story, every scenario, every sob story, every "happy story," etc, etc.
This is just my feelings reading the boards, and talking to hundreds of folks on the phone and online. Due to cognitive dissonance (excessive mental stress and discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time) may prevent your from agreeing with this right away, but hear me out...I think the negative feeling people feel about their reunions, is caused by the feeling one has that they "know" it was supposed to be a "great" time in school, not matching the "true" adult conclusion they now have. Since they may not match, this causes discomfort in the individual. Having been a student of psychology,and an 'expert" on reunions, I can speak somewhat intelligently on this.
Please think hard about this last statement/conclusion before disagreeing. That is all.
Here's my thoughts on Class Reunions.
1) Not everyone has good memories of high school However, some folks use this energy, to want to "make amends" and some use it to want "nothing ever again" to do with those 4 years of their life.
2) Most folks, without experience doing this assume that "everyone else" has the same memories, and has the same feelings the "thinker" have (I mean the feelings about the 4 years in school); so you think of "Stud Football player" and remember how "popular" they were, and assume they feel that way about those years. Reunion movies and TV shows LOVE to play this stereotype. FALSE! I've seen as many "football popular kids" hate the thought of returning, just as high as I've seen the world's biggest nerd absolutely thrilled to return to the reunion and run around (and they're still nerds, and geeky, not the "Bill Gates" of the school.)
3) I've noticed a higher tendency of the "Cheer-squad" type women being more likely to attend, and the "has been" stud athlete not attend. Not sure why. I guess, women are more social? Not sure, but if the "cheerleader" or outgoing girl was that way in school, she's exactly the same at the reunions, with distinct exceptions.
4) In general, the attendees tend to attend on the way "they felt" not "what clique they were in." Their "feelings" let me decide how they'll enjoy their reunion, not "their characteristics" or even personality, per say.
5) There def is a higher tendency to attend when "life is good" for many. So those likely to never attend a reunion, will do so, when they can "show their life" to others. But hardcore like me, attend, no mater what, and my life was sucking just before I attended my last one (just laid off from my job, weeks before the event, and I was the "emcee.") Ironically, I heard the same excuse from another friend who NEVER attends (just got laid off) for not attending.
6) Most people don't change much in personality. If you remember somebody being "friendly" they will probably be the same. Same if they were a jerk, unfortunately. People do mature, however.
7) Most movies that show Reunions at location of "school where attended" is complete hogwash. You can't drink on an under 18 campus, so of course that would never work, who wants to go and not drink? I'm sure college reunions allow it, and most are on college campuses. Mine are (I never attend.) I always roll my eyes when I see this, mostly on cheesy shows like CSI, and other 1 hour dramas, like that.
8) I think those who don't attend, assume "most do" and perhaps those who do attend, assume "most don't." Not positive, but I get a lot of "I'm gonna be the only one" who didn't attend, on the phone, which is great for bringing up numbers of attendees, but actually false. In truth, the higher percentage don't attend, usually around 75 or 80% don't attend ours.
9) Most people have fun. At least at mine. I walk around and talk to everyone, and "welcome" everyone. I am not the "snobby girl or guy you knew" in school who won't talk to you because you weren't in my clique. I was all around, shy but super nice. The earlier years we had the "exclusionary" types who would call or invite, but me and my partner who call the folks, are all into "try to include everyone." If somebody experienced a bad "10 year" try later at the 20 or higher. Folks "die" off and get nicer. This may vary slightly, depending on your school size and sex of students.
10) "I just live there" I see everyone anyway. Heard it and read it on this message thread. Just as many folks who "live right there" as live 1000's miles away come to our reunions. Many think of it as networking and seeing the certain friends they don't see more than 1 time a year. Lots of business opportunities and networking. We've had folks fly from Switzerland and Japan to come to our parties.
11) Folks on Facebook are more likely to attend, or Vice Versa (???). Not true, many of my FB friends hate attending, but use FFB to live-reunion. However, FB does make it MUCH EASIER to reach folks. OMG, so much better than 15 years ago!!!!
12) Movie stereotypes I FRICKING HATE!! They don't happen!!! The known popular kids will attend, and be complete brats to the less popular kids in school! NOPE! The "haters" who were complete b.... in school will attend for some reason. NOPE! They won't. They had a horrible time, why would they attend? (movies for drama and conflict.) Sorry, Janeane Garofalo's character would NEVER EVER ATTEND!!! Reunion at school (high or lower). NOPE! Married couple you remember, still married and happy..NOPE!!! All divorced and split up. Nerds will attend, and be extremely successful and either be complete trolls, or embarrass themselves to "teach a lesson" in the flick. NOPE! Although the "nerd" I know became a doctor and has attended a few reunions.
Marriages/Relationships from reunions? Hmm, a few, only a few mostly one night stands I've known about.
In the movie: you just show up and pretend to be someone from that class. Why the hell would this work and what if that person showed up?!! The character would have no way of knowing that, and anyway, at least one person would have an inkling that was not the same dude or girl!!!! STUPID!!!!! I'm sure you knew this would be false!! However, I bet there are people who watch that, and somehow imagine it could happen. Too many details to work.
Short wait time from planning to initiation. I understand it's a movie,but it's ridiculous the planning time being so short. It takes around 6-8 months!!!
Okay, enough blogging. That's it. Super long.
__________________
"I don't like white people. I hate red necks!" (Eddie Murphy in 48 Hours)
HELL no! I despised almost every kid in my school, with the exception of my closed group of hippie activists who marched on Washington regularly and put out an underground school paper in which we always addressed the other students thus: "Hey Cretins!"...and they never got it.
The only time I ran into them was when back in town, visiting the folks, and some jerk who looked totally unfamiliar would barge up to me, shout my name like we were long lost buds and I'd stare blankly.
Yep, other than a few cool or interesting teachers, that was my High School experience. College? THAT was a whole different thing. It was paradise in every way!
Remember that, all you kids out there who think college will be just like H.S...it WON'T be (well, usually).
Nothing is what it seems. Everything is a test. Rule #1: Don't...get...caught.
My husband didn't want to go to reunions but I talked him into one. We had a blast. He said it was amazing how everyone seemed kind of humbled by what the years had brought. People who never spoke to each other before came around and shook hands. Wonders never cease.
shareGlad to hear that you had a positive experience. I don't think I would have...but that was my town's fault, not really the school. I really identified with Romy & Michele living in L.A., land of nonconformity, for 10 years, only to go back and find the same old judgmental people, the same cliques of "A-group" bimbos and their husbands and so on. I felt bad for R & M because they still CARED so much, which I learned not to do by Junior yr.
I know it's not the same everywhere, but when it happens, it can be devastating to those who DO care (what their "peers" think)!
Just watched it today, in fact and still, it was hilarious.
Ramon: How about this? 'Ramon! Fill me up with your love wand?'?"
Romy: WHAT? (after playing along). I'm not saying that to get a car!
lol
I'm the Mary and YOU'RE the Rhoda!
Nah, I'm cool not going to mine next year...I hated high school...my class had almost 900 students in it, I barely knew half of them...when I wasn't being called a "nerd", I was pretty much ignored...my life is soooo much better now than it was in high school, why would I want to go back (half across the country, mind you) and be reminded of a time that sucked...I'm not even on Facebook because I don't think it's anyone's business what I am doing with my life nowadays...if they had really cared about me (in a good way, not a one-upping way) than we would have stayed in touch (which I have with a few)
"This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin, tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in..."
I don't think it's much of a big thing in Canada, but do people go to their high school reunions and make it a big thing like the movie?
My HS class had about 175 kids but I think maybe 25 showed up at the 10 yr reunion. Even most of the kids who still live in the town did not bother to come. I dont think it was due to any resentment though. It wasnt for me. I didnt go just because I had no genuine interest in what anyone else was doing. If I did want to know, I could look most of them up on facebook. I think facebook has basically made HS reunions obsolete. The reason people would get excited maybe in the 90s was because it was a way to find out what everyone had made of their life. But now with the internet, you can find out that information in 5 seconds.
^^^This
shareI went to a lot of different schools growing up including 6 high schools so I have never been to a h.s. reunion nor will I bother since nobody will remember me, lol.
On the other hand, my husband went to school with the same people throughout his childhood so we will go to his 10 year reunion this year. He had a great time in high school playing football and being in choir. He says his pals from choir were great and they made amazing memories while traveling overseas for choir recitals, so I look forward to meeting them.
I thought I'd post an update on here since I said three years ago that I wasn't sure if I would attend mine. Three years later, I not only attended mine, but helped plan it as well!!!
I decided to get the ball rolling after several of my classmates asked me if I heard anything about plans. Myself and two others took the reins and planned it. We had it this past weekend at a local nightclub where I sometimes work. It was kept simple and free of charge. Everyone had a great time. There was definitely some mingling among the same groups, but overall it was very un-cliquey. I totally agree with the poster on here who said that people commended them for the things they would give them a hard time about in high school. I received tons of praise for my outspokenness on issues, which has now led to my current career as a political/community organizer.
We are planning to have a second gathering this fall on a classmate's property. It will consist of a bonfire and camping overnight (which we were originally planning to have this past weekend, but it was cancelled due to abnormally hot weather). Myself and the other two planners have already committed to planning the 20th!!!
I'm guessing this answer depends mostly on how people have moved from their high school towns. I'm beyond driving distance so I haven't bothered.
shareI left the small town where I matriculated a year after I graduated High School. While I returned several times over the years, mainly to visit family that still lived in the area, I have never gone there for a HS reunion. I can honestly say, I've never missed not having gone to one either.
Romy: [talking about the High School reunion] Well, anyways, are you going?
Heather: [referring to her cigarette] I'd rather put this out in my ass!
I think Facebook has eliminated the chief attraction reunions had-to see what former classmates are up to and how they look!
share