I'm curious as to what the hell the benifit is of father's day? Seriously? First it's yet another day where I am forced into a family lunch which will either

A. end in bickering

B. end in bickering

or

C. end in someone stealing the car to go home and leaving us stranded.

We have to stand around awkwardly while our father opens the presents we wasted money on for him and then *shudder* actually do the awkward 'kiss on the cheek thanks for the thought' business.

The pain of having to sit through a whole day just -trying- not to implode is a killer.

Words cannot describe.

I have a headache. I want to rip out my own hair.

So what is the point of father's day for people who do not get on with their father's? Why are we still forced to have one day a year where we pretend and smile and twist slowly at the eye as we nod and thank them for all they've done for the year?

BLAHHHHH!!! Freaking family gatherings!!!

I just buy my dad a bottle of Absolute Vodka every year (I can buy it myself now!) and then leave him alone.

I love my family.

haha well to some it is beneficial...and a nice day. Though I always felt bad for my former friend whose dad killed himself when she was little. Needless to say she doesn't like father's day. Poor gal. Aaaanywhooo.....

I don't give dad gifts on father's day. I have done it a couple of times years ago but frankly he's never around...not even on father's day. He's half way around the country most of the time. Sure it would be fun to spend time with him that day (since I actually like my dad despite the not being around part) but I can't and I cope with that. I just give him a call and wish him a great father's day. Father's day is just a day when I must remember to call the man. :) When it comes to awkward kisses on the cheek (which he gives every time he stops by and has to leave)...I put up with them just for him. Then the rest of the day I will be itching because he refuses to shave his stubble!

Hm I guess I'm lucky. My dad pretty much tells us not to buy him anything. Me, Mom, and my sister go get a card and usually something else. He gets it. We go leave him alone...

Mmmmm.. I'm on a completely different end of the spectrum. Carted a remote control helicopter halfway round Tassie until it was time for presents.

But I don't know. It's not a huge deal in our family, certainly not one requiring a special lunch. At which, there would only be fart jokes anyway XD.

I love father's day. [:
I buy my dad gifts things that I secretly want too, and we share them.

So, for you it has no benefit, but it's a nice day for some others.

&& add-on;

even if you don't get along with your father though.... he most likely does deserve some appreciation.

I actually don't have a father, because he died.. oh, probably almost twelve years ago now. I like the idea of the holiday because it helps me to remember my dad and recognize what a great person he was.

Also, I have a step-dad who tends to get a gift or two from the rest of the family. We don't do anything major on the holiday, but cards and something a little more expensive are usually given.

I know you're probably right but let me put it this way : father's day comes once a year. That's about how often he does anything considered 'fatherly' or even 'useful in the basic sense of the word'. It's hard to explain without going into profanities and some stuff which pretty much stays under our roof but it's just one of those things y'know?

And I want to apologise if anyone got the wrong end of this rant - I certainly don't mean father's day has no benefit. I know that to some people it's a really special time. I was ranting more about people who have no real reason to have to podder around acting like we give a damn when our father's haven't bothered doing so in years?

Oh, mine sure as hell does not. He deserves nothing but the utmost contempt. I'm just very glad my parents are divorced; I haven't seen or spoken to my father in over five years now.

It's your opportunity to worship the breadwinner.

WORSHIP HIM...


My daddy lives in a different state from me. He got really excited about my sister and me coming to visit in November. I think maybe he has no friends up there.

I hate father's day.
It's another day to remind people without fathers that thinking 'I hope you die' seems to be the norm.
But the people who say things like these it doesn't happen to. No, it happens to the little kids who really don't mean it.
^_^

I figure it's better to appreciate someone once a year even if they didn't do anything worth appreciating than pretend that sperm doesn't exist and the egg fertalizes itself. Who needs presents and get togethers? Give a hug and move on your day.

I suppose I'm lucky; my dad and I get along very well. Sometimes, however, he's the kid and I have to make sure he doesn't do anything to get into trouble. I bought him malt balls and a big ol' bottle of beer for Fathers' Day this past year . . . everyone thought I was weird except for my dad who just couldn't stop laughing.

Fathers' Day is exactly what you make it. It can be a big hubbub about nothing and is just a waste of time or it can be something fun.

But it's just one day of the year. Most of us have a couple days during the year which we just have to suck it up and do something we just don't like for the sake of harmony. We can't choose our families, but we can make best with what we have. If that means sending dad a gift and pretending to like him for one day and then forget about him for the rest of the year, so be it.

I actually disagree with that, a lot. You cannot choose who you are related to. But you can choose who you consider family. I don't believe that simply being related to someone makes them family. As far as I am concerned, my father is not family.

My dad pretty much ignored me for the first 12 years of my life. Now, however, we've gotten to be pretty close, and stay up and hang out late at night whenever I'm home on break. Granted, he acts more like a friend or a big brother than a father, but some individuals simply aren't meant to be paternal types. It may not be a typical father-daughter relationship, but that doesn't make me love my dad any less. Yeah, he's never shown a lot of interest in being fatherly, but I know he cares about me and loves me (in his weird way), and we have fun together.

Maybe next year you could get him a shaken up bottle of beer?

Or this year... I forget when father's day is. I just get my dad a funny card, and we're even. But he's a decent sort.

For crappy dad's... something that explodes. Like shaken cans under pressure. FUN!

Or maybe you could just mail a card, and be at "work/something" that day? ><

I don't think you should have to unless you want to. Have you discussed it with your mother (or whoever is actually obligating you to go)?

Reading this thread I was surprised. I guess I live in a bubble because I absolutely adore my father. He's managed to both be a father-type and a friend and spoils me to high heaven. We don't celebrate father's day though because I appreciate him every day and don't need to set aside one to show it. Whenever I get a bit of extra cash, we'd go out and splurge and I'd always say "Happy Fathers Day" (even if it's November or something). That's how I guess we celebrate it.

See we're the kind of family who have to PLAY happy families so copping out isn't an option. I didn't go to Easter because of a rather nasty row I'd had with my father and my Uncle didn't speak to me for two months which was totally unwarrented since it wasn't my fault in the first place.

I'm not trying to say that my family's entirely crap or anything. I love my brother as dearly as you say you love your father and spent three months straight making and painting a hockey stick for his birthday this year.

I think it's sweet that you have that kind of relationship with him though. I wish I could have that with either of my parents but it doesn't seem likely.

*grins* Except he'd expect me to open it...maybe I should just point it at him?

And anyone who is annoying you that day. Then you're less likely to get any on yourself too. Wonderful plan. Wonderful. [cackles]



Heh. Parents are people too. And some people just aren't as cool as others. [nod]

Eh, it's not a matter of cool factor. It's not like I hate him because he embaresses me in front of my friends or anything (although now you mention it...)