40 Year High School Reunion (1 Viewer)

[coopersdad]

Short rant.

40th reunion on Friday and Saturday night. Friday is free (pay your own tab) at a local bar/roadhouse and Saturday is $150/person for 2 drink tickets and appitizers at a upscale bar/tavern with rooftop access.

Lots of people going on Friday but not so much on Saturday.

I'm going on Friday and will be back late on Saturday evening from another event. Evidentally the organizers got word of a "gathering" at another bar that is taking away a lot of the attendees who think the 150 is to expensive.

I've been forwarded text messages that remind me why I'm not in HS anymore and reninforce why I only keep in touch with a select few of my 600+ high school grad class.

Rant over.

 

[Zow]

Yeah I can't imagine wanting to attend one of these things. Thanks for confirming that notion. I wholeheartedly agree that anybody I have any interest in keeping in contact with from high school I can easily do so without a reunion.

Frankly, these things just seem like a socially acceptable ****-measuring contest amongst former peers. I would hope others see that while such could be fun, there are probably better ways to spend time and money.

ETA: And shortly after I posted the above I received information about my 20th college reunion and I'm slightly considering going haha.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

$150 per person is too much for a high school reunion. You're openly announcing that you don't want your poor and middle-class classmates to attend.

 

[arrow1]

only thing worse is going as a spouse

 

[coopersdad]

only thing worse is going as a spouse

I will report that as a single guy I have these observations of the "new" old friends that I've found on Facebook since this reunion page came about and classmates started joining:

1 - Really good looking girls from HS are hit and miss as they get older and the guys that they married are "meh".
2 - Studly guys from HS are mostly "miss" as they've really let themselves go, but usually have decent looking wives.
3 - The middle range girls that you never thought of dating in HS have a pretty good success rate of developing well (if you know what I mean)
4 - At age 18 you're not supposed to be developed as a person..........nope, most people have not changed, especially the people that irritate you.

 

[Joe Schmo]

only thing worse is going as a spouse

Slight disagree, as a spouse you don't have to pretend to remember or like anybody. You can eat and drink and blend into the wall, maybe scope the cougars.

 

[Drunken knight]

I went to an all male smaller private, catholic high school (240 graduating class). we are still pretty close and mostly attend the reunions.

we have attended some nice venues for lunches and dinners but i do not believe it has been 150 pp. nonetheless, it is not uncommon to move to local bars after the event (or linger at their bar).

separate parties don't happen for our group.

I still like seeing everyone...

edit: last one was in North Beach (San Francisco). great time and venue

 

[Brony]

only thing worse is going as a spouse

I will report that as a single guy I have these observations of the "new" old friends that I've found on Facebook since this reunion page came about and classmates started joining:

1 - Really good looking girls from HS are hit and miss as they get older and the guys that they married are "meh".
2 - Studly guys from HS are mostly "miss" as they've really let themselves go, but usually have decent looking wives.
3 - The middle range girls that you never thought of dating in HS have a pretty good success rate of developing well (if you know what I mean)
4 - At age 18 you're not supposed to be developed as a person..........nope, most people have not changed, especially the people that irritate you.

Is this 4 year HS reunion or 40 year?

 

[nirad3]

I'm not up to my 40th yet, but I can't see going to back-to-back reunion events that would probably involve alcohol.

I went to a smaller public school where everyone pretty much knew everyone else. So the reunions, while not attended by all, were all quite fun.

My 10th was just a giant boozefest on a harbor cruise here locally. Being that it was only 10 years after graduation, not a lot had changed. Some people were married, some even had kids already... but for the most part this was just a giant party. We went to a nearby bar after the boat let us off.

My 20th was dumb. The organizers thought it'd be a good idea to rent a small ballroom at a local hotel and do a sit-down dinner and have a DJ. I forget how much it cost but I'd surmise it was close to $100. I was living out-of-state at the time, too, so had to fly out. Kinda wish I hadn't, since it was pretty boring. A lot of the more "popular kids" actually didn't even go, and rather they were at a nearby bar, where some of the reunion participants ended up going after the hotel thing.

The 30th was one I actually planned myself. The 10th/20th organizers had enough of the planning (and actually got some backlash for the lame 20th) so passed the torch to whoever would take it. I decided to keep it pretty simple and just do a Facebook event and have everyone pass the date along if they weren't part of the class Facebook group and/or didn't see the invite. Had it at a beachfront/outdoor bar/restaurant here locally, pay-as-you go, no tickets or anything. The venue actually wanted a couple G's to reserve tables, but I didn't want any part of that. I figured since we were kicking things off in the afternoon that we'd be fine on space. We were.

I don't know what the 40th holds, that's not for another 8 years. I figure by that time we will be too old to really shake it up and get down, so it'll probably just be at a restaurant, maybe a park, maybe someone's house if they have the outdoor space.

But yeah, 2 nights in a row is a little much. The organizers should have just planned the first night and let everyone catch up then. Maybe because it's such a big class they wanted 2 nights that way you could hobnob with more people?

 

[Charlie Steiner]

My 40th apparently happened a couple weeks ago. Since most of my old gang from HS are out of town and have better things to do, I gave up going 20 years ago.

You can never go home again, but I guess you can shop there.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

To each their own, but I can't imagine voluntarily/intentionally giving up some of my free time going to go to one of these things.

 

[Gally]

Anybody that I wanted to hang out with from high school I am still doing so. In fact we just had a Vegas trip for 5 of us that still get together and do things periodically. It was great. No need to add a bunch of people that I don't ever see or talk with anymore.

I went to the 10 yr and that was it. Not even sure we had a 20 yr and our 30 yr was smack dab in the middle of Covid so don't think anything happened then either. The funniest thing about the 10 yr was one of my good buddies planned to go but ended up taking a nap in the afternoon and slept through it. The rest of us that expected him to show were confused when we never saw him. Found out the next day he slept through it...hahahaha.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Yeah that Saturday cover charge seems a bit high, especially with the free Friday event in advance of it.

40 years damn. Over/under of percent that are grandparents? Give or take 25% lol.

FWIW, 35 years was my latest one this year, held in NYC. I didn't attend for many of the reasons listed, but what it really came down to was the beach day I was having with my family was more appealing than going into the city that night.

 

[NutterButter]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

 

[coopersdad]

Yeah that Saturday cover charge seems a bit high, especially with the free Friday event in advance of it.

40 years damn. Over/under of percent that are grandparents? Give or take 25% lol.

FWIW, 35 years was my latest one this year, held in NYC. I didn't attend for many of the reasons listed, but what it really came down to was the beach day I was having with my family was more appealing than going into the city that night.

I'm road tripping with my 4 dogs to go to my college sons last fall baseball scrimmage on Saturday and it is about 3 1/2 hours from home. That is more important to me.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

We had something similar to the OP at our FIVE year reunion in 1985.

One afternoon free (BYOB & eats) at a local park. I think our class had 220 in it and probably 80 classmates showed, along with another 50 or 60 SOs & kids. It was fun to reconnect.

The next night was a sit-down dinner at a good restaurant. IIRC (I didn't go), like 15 classmates went. It wasn't $150 - probably around $50. I'm sure the expense to cut down on attendees was part of the plan by the class officers and their minions. I'm glad I didn't go.

 

[Mitchie]

think I'd rather spend time in a Turkish prison

 

[beer 30]

Was my 40th last year. Graduated from a small farming town with a class of about 130. Me and about 8 of my best friends golfed the day we graduated and continue that tradition to this day. Not everyone always attends but the core group is usually always there. Last year we planned it around our 40th and it was a blast. Half the class still lives there, the bar we drank at growing up was were we all got together Friday night. Saturday we golfed and then about 50 of us met up at one of the girls farmhouses and had an old fashioned kegger. It was a blast. We all committed to doing it again in another 40 years.

 

[massraider]

150 bucks a head for two drinks and apps is just weird. Bad logistics from someone

 

[The Z Machine]

I've been back in my hometown for 2+ weeks now, visiting my parents. I've been in touch with exactly 1 of my HS classmates, and I talk with him every week. I have no real desire to see or catch up with any of the rest of them.

 

[The Z Machine]

think I'd rather spend time in a Turkish prison

Go on...

 

[Cowboysfan8]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

Same

 

[NutterButter]

think I'd rather spend time in a Turkish prison

Go on...

I see movie potential here

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I ran into the one that I thought was "the one that got away" just a couple weeks ago. Turns out is was really okay that she got away.

It's already been said but if I liked any of those people I'd still be friends with them. What is there to go back for?

 

[Gally]

What is there to go back for?

It really is kind of an odd concept. Go to a "forced" meeting with a lot of people you really didn't know, didn't like, or had no idea who they were. I mean for all the people you liked you probably are still in touch with and do things on a semi regular basis so why have to plan something like this to see them?

 

[3C's]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

43rd reunion was this just summer. I guess. No idea if they had one. Never been to any of them. Keeping the streak alive.

 

[Drunken knight]

What is there to go back for?

It really is kind of an odd concept. Go to a "forced" meeting with a lot of people you really didn't know, didn't like, or had no idea who they were. I mean for all the people you liked you probably are still in touch with and do things on a semi regular basis so why have to plan something like this to see them?

I moved away from the bay area for about 10 years. I believe i flew back out for one or two reunions.

since i have been back, work and family monopolize my time. Sure there are people I communicate with more frequently, but the function allows a designated time to see more classmates.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

only thing worse is going as a spouse

Not for me. I've been to two of Mr R's reunions. His class had 212 people, and many of them live in the same area that the school is in. We had BBQ. (Such a surprise.) A couple of times, the Friday activity was a football game at the school. The last reunion was in May, so that was out.

My class size was 640. Just didn't really care about going at all.

$150 for two drinks and some appetizers is nuts.

 

[Runkle]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

My sister used to be in event planning and, for several years, worked, full-time, and year-round, as the alumni & reunion event coordinator for a private middle school. Like, grades 6-8. They had events monthly ranging from "Class of '98 trip to a MLB game" to "Class of '82 40-year reunion" that were heavily attended. I can't imagine getting together with 150 of my classmates from eighth grade but apparently it was a big deal thing. I remain completely shuked on the whole thing.

Thankfully, my high school's operating procedure is that the Senior Year class president, vice-president, and whatever staff are in charge of organizing reunions. And we elected a bunch of 'popular kids' that had no interest in actually doing anything and mostly moved out of state, and we haven't even had a single reunion to even bother decline going to.

 

[Zow]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

That would be interesting. I've never attended one myself and really have no interest in attending a high school reunion (I didn't like high school and was bullied a bit so I have no interest in revisiting that unlikeable phase of my life). And, frankly, the small incentive of "hey, look at me! I'm doing better than most of you clowns" can be accomplished via social media and as I get older the yearning for that has dissipated so no thanks. However, I could see myself going to a college or law school reunion if it was convenient to do so.

That said, this thread is super timely because just this morning (after I posted my initial post above) I received the invite for my college reunion and I would be open to going. My college does this pretty cool thing for 20th year anniversaries where, ideally, you stay back in your old freshman dorm with your original roommate and spend a couple of days together. My roommate and I - who still stay in touch - are kicking around whether to do this to see some of our other buddies or go on a golf trip instead.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

My sister used to be in event planning and, for several years, worked, full-time, and year-round, as the alumni & reunion event coordinator for a private middle school. Like, grades 6-8. They had events monthly ranging from "Class of '98 trip to a MLB game" to "Class of '82 40-year reunion" that were heavily attended. I can't imagine getting together with 150 of my classmates from eighth grade but apparently it was a big deal thing. I remain completely shuked on the whole thing.

Thankfully, my high school's operating procedure is that the Senior Year class president, vice-president, and whatever staff are in charge of organizing reunions. And we elected a bunch of 'popular kids' that had no interest in actually doing anything and mostly moved out of state, and we haven't even had a single reunion to even bother decline going to.

Who the heck goes to eighth grade reunions? Did they never grow up?

 

[Zow]

$150 for two drinks and some appetizers is nuts.

Yeah, it's probably more so the venue cost being spread around. I agree with the poster above who said it really financially divides the attendees as to some that wouldn't be nuts but to others it wouldn't be feasible. Definitely seems elitist/unfair and designed to divide.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

$150 for two drinks and some appetizers is nuts.

Yeah, it's probably more so the venue cost being spread around. I agree with the poster above who said it really financially divides the attendees as to some that wouldn't be nuts but to others it wouldn't be feasible. Definitely seems elitist/unfair and designed to divide.

I have money, but I wouldn't do that. Mr R's reunions were at the public park, in the pavilion. No dress-up needed.

 

[Zow]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

My sister used to be in event planning and, for several years, worked, full-time, and year-round, as the alumni & reunion event coordinator for a private middle school. Like, grades 6-8. They had events monthly ranging from "Class of '98 trip to a MLB game" to "Class of '82 40-year reunion" that were heavily attended. I can't imagine getting together with 150 of my classmates from eighth grade but apparently it was a big deal thing. I remain completely shuked on the whole thing.

Thankfully, my high school's operating procedure is that the Senior Year class president, vice-president, and whatever staff are in charge of organizing reunions. And we elected a bunch of 'popular kids' that had no interest in actually doing anything and mostly moved out of state, and we haven't even had a single reunion to even bother decline going to.

Wait, what?

Oh my. I'd rather go to the dentist than attend a middle school reunion and/or do things with people I don't have fond memories (or really any memories) of. This is an actual thing?

Thinking about it, I suppose it would be somewhat interesting to see where grad school classmates wound up because, frankly, by senior year high school it's probably pretty evident which direction somebody is headed (obviously with the few fun and surprising exceptions) where an 8th grader may be less predictable. But, man, I don't even think I could name like 15 kids from my graduating 8th grade class.

 

[Zow]

$150 for two drinks and some appetizers is nuts.

Yeah, it's probably more so the venue cost being spread around. I agree with the poster above who said it really financially divides the attendees as to some that wouldn't be nuts but to others it wouldn't be feasible. Definitely seems elitist/unfair and designed to divide.

I have money, but I wouldn't do that. Mr R's reunions were at the public park, in the pavilion. No dress-up needed.

Agreed. I tried to say the same in my post (hopefully that came across). Just an insensitive option even if to some $150 is nothing.

 

[-fish-]

I didn't attend my 10th, so my best friend told people that asked about me that I was in a federal penitentiary for trafficking cocaine. Given my reputation in high school, this was widely accepted as true. He thought it was hilarious.

Didn't attend my 20th, so my best friend said that I'd recently been released, but was embarrassed to attend due to my situation.

Don't know anyone that attended the 30th.

40th coming up. I may go. Thinking of going to an exotic car rental and rolling up in a Lamborghini to keep the story going.

 

[Zow]

I didn't attend my 10th, so my best friend told people that asked about me that I was in a federal penitentiary for trafficking cocaine. Given my reputation in high school, this was widely accepted as true. He thought it was hilarious.

Didn't attend my 20th, so my best friend said that I'd recently been released, but was embarrassed to attend due to my situation.

Don't know anyone that attended the 30th.

40th coming up. I may go. Thinking of going to an exotic car rental and rolling up in a Lamborghini to keep the story going.

We need the laughing emoji back.

 

[The Z Machine]

I didn't attend my 10th, so my best friend told people that asked about me that I was in a federal penitentiary for trafficking cocaine. Given my reputation in high school, this was widely accepted as true. He thought it was hilarious.

Didn't attend my 20th, so my best friend said that I'd recently been released, but was embarrassed to attend due to my situation.

Don't know anyone that attended the 30th.

40th coming up. I may go. Thinking of going to an exotic car rental and rolling up in a Lamborghini to keep the story going.

Aint no one got Facebook?

 

[Jayrod]

I liked going to mine but then again I actually like being around and talking to people, especially if there was some past history or connection.

ETA: Not at 40 yet...not even to 30 actually.

 

[guru_007]

I haven't been to any of my HS reunions as I live too far away to make any effort. And I do keep in touch with about 10-12 of my HS friends. And I wouldn't mind going to a reunion at all, but not going to go out of my way for one.
That said, the last reunion spawned two marriages of my friends to other HS friends. Both second marriages for both couples.
One was a very GB of mine, and while I knew his wife from HS, we weren't friends, just ran in different crowds. That said, I went to his wedding, and there were a good 40-45 alum there so it was close enough to a reunion for me!

 

[fruity pebbles]

If I could describe my ultimate torture, it would be going to one of these things.

 

[-fish-]

I didn't attend my 10th, so my best friend told people that asked about me that I was in a federal penitentiary for trafficking cocaine. Given my reputation in high school, this was widely accepted as true. He thought it was hilarious.

Didn't attend my 20th, so my best friend said that I'd recently been released, but was embarrassed to attend due to my situation.

Don't know anyone that attended the 30th.

40th coming up. I may go. Thinking of going to an exotic car rental and rolling up in a Lamborghini to keep the story going.

Aint no one got Facebook?

I don't really post on facebook. Also, don't think it was a thing 30 years ago.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I didn't attend my 10th, so my best friend told people that asked about me that I was in a federal penitentiary for trafficking cocaine. Given my reputation in high school, this was widely accepted as true. He thought it was hilarious.

Didn't attend my 20th, so my best friend said that I'd recently been released, but was embarrassed to attend due to my situation.

Don't know anyone that attended the 30th.

40th coming up. I may go. Thinking of going to an exotic car rental and rolling up in a Lamborghini to keep the story going.

We really need the laugh emoji.

Do you need to buy a zoot suit or hire an entourage? Can you get Bryan Cranston as your wingman?

 

[B Maverick]

Posted this in the other thread with the Poll:

"Went to my 10 year. Ended up hanging out with a group of people that knew each other, but were not part of the same clicks in HS. What a difference it made talking as adults.
Also started dating one of the girls from HS that I reconnected with at the reunion. That was a fun month. We lived 1.5 hours apart so it didn't last long."

3 years later the girl I was dating (and married then divorced) had her 10 year which I escorted her too. Seemed that a lot of the people that went to her HS still lived near by and were there. Different vibe then mine were it seemed most had moved away. Mine was in San Diego, hers in Orange County.

My current gf has her 30th this year. She hasn't asked me to go and I am happy about that. Ha. Had no interest in my 20, 30 or any future ones.

For college, we rented a bar for the day and partied there instead of attending the grad ceremony. No interest in any reunions there.

 

[SWC]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

That would be interesting. I've never attended one myself and really have no interest in attending a high school reunion (I didn't like high school and was bullied a bit so I have no interest in revisiting that unlikeable phase of my life). And, frankly, the small incentive of "hey, look at me! I'm doing better than most of you clowns" can be accomplished via social media and as I get older the yearning for that has dissipated so no thanks. However, I could see myself going to a college or law school reunion if it was convenient to do so.

That said, this thread is super timely because just this morning (after I posted my initial post above) I received the invite for my college reunion and I would be open to going. My college does this pretty cool thing for 20th year anniversaries where, ideally, you stay back in your old freshman dorm with your original roommate and spend a couple of days together. My roommate and I - who still stay in touch - are kicking around whether to do this to see some of our other buddies or go on a golf trip instead.

what do they do with the kids that actually live in those dorms i mean normally they do reunions around homecoming and homecoming is normally during the school year take that to the bank brochacho

 

[Mookie]

40th is this Spring. Got together with a few HS buddies a few weeks ago and had a great time. One of the guys, who I shall call "The Networker" because he's in sales and will talk about nothing for hours, was trying to convince the rest of us to attend because "it's fun to talk to your old friends, but it's even more fun to catch up with the people you didn't know very well." That drew a lot of laughter and the rest of us agreed that we weren't going.

 

[Gally]

But, man, I don't even think I could name like 15 kids from my graduating 8th grade class.

Most of the people in my 8th grade class were also in my high school graduating class. They were mostly the same people minus a few that moved sometime between 8th grade and 12th grade or a few new kids that moved into the area at that time. Otherwise I would say it was probably 75-80% the same people.

 

[ghostguy123]

We've only had a 20 year. I went, had a good time. I talked to like 6 people out of 100.
There was definitely not a 150 ticket. It was free except buying beer.

 

[nirad3]

Man I'm surprised to see all the reunion hate in here. I guess I can see where y'all are coming from, especially if HS wasn't an enjoyable experience for you.

For me, I don't think we really talked about HS itself that much at my 10 or 20. It was more of a "what are you up to these days" kind of thing. For my 30th, someone brought some yearbooks and we flipped through them.

My graduating class was only like 100 or so, even though I'm in a suburban LA location... smaller school.

So everyone knows everyone else, for the most part.... sure, there were the "popular" kids, but there was a large "middle class" that knew the jocks as well as the "nerds". I was in that group.

For me, it's fun reconnecting with these people. Facebook keeps us informed, too, of course. But every so often it's fun to actually see each other in person. I don't even see my "best friends" but a few times a year.

 

[Zow]

We need a "what's normal" poll about whether you've ever been to a single reunion from any school level. Put me down as a "no".

That would be interesting. I've never attended one myself and really have no interest in attending a high school reunion (I didn't like high school and was bullied a bit so I have no interest in revisiting that unlikeable phase of my life). And, frankly, the small incentive of "hey, look at me! I'm doing better than most of you clowns" can be accomplished via social media and as I get older the yearning for that has dissipated so no thanks. However, I could see myself going to a college or law school reunion if it was convenient to do so.

That said, this thread is super timely because just this morning (after I posted my initial post above) I received the invite for my college reunion and I would be open to going. My college does this pretty cool thing for 20th year anniversaries where, ideally, you stay back in your old freshman dorm with your original roommate and spend a couple of days together. My roommate and I - who still stay in touch - are kicking around whether to do this to see some of our other buddies or go on a golf trip instead.

what do they do with the kids that actually live in those dorms i mean normally they do reunions around homecoming and homecoming is normally during the school year take that to the bank brochacho

It's in the summer. That's why the 20th is special.

Plus, zero chance I'm going to Minnesota when it's cold.