Are surprise parties "ethically questionable"???

[DirkW]

Some people just don't like surprises. They prefer a predictable life with a set routine. Others don't like to be the center of attention. Combine the two, and you have someone who would adhore being the subject of a suprise party. My father is like that.

The person feeling that it is unethical to have a suprise party shutters at the posibility they could be the subject of one. I wouldn't judge them too harshly. At the same time, most extroverts would love being the subject of a suprise party. There is certainly no harm in throwing one provided you're sure the person your honoring would enjoy it.

 

[patoloco]

I know and I've lived surprise parties as plan ruiners: imagine you have decided to have a lovely dinner with your significant other to celebrate your birthday. Probably some wine and love sharing, and you both get home and see a bunch of people screaming as you open the door.

However, I've arranged and co-arranged surprise parties that have been both successes and failures. I remeber the last one when we invited a friend to have some drinks since he was leaving the country in a study trip. We were only males there, and then, from the middle of nothing came this super girl, doing her exotic dances. Everyone was happy BUT the guy we were trying to amuse.

Also, since I was a child, I was educated by my mom to always ask permission before you go out and visit a friend or relative. I don't know how this works in other latitudes, but here, some families have the "pleasant" habit of jumping into their car and going to someone else's house to play a surprise afternoon visit, specially on sunday, when you are finally being able to take that afterlunch nap you have been dreaming of since monday.

Thas't my point of view. Receiving/throwing a surprise party is a risk. You must really know the person, and the situation, as Purple Permelia stated above, but it's far from wehat I would consider being "ethically questionable".

Just my $20.