To all the brits on the Escapist, I have a question. Just yesterday I turned 21 and my grandmother says that in Britain the 21st birthday is important, so yeah I was just wondering if it is actually important and how it is?
To all the British Escapists
- Thread starter Quiet Stranger
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That is EXACTLY what I thought.thaluikhain said:
I'm not British though, so I wouldn't know about the 21 thing. I mean, I'm Irish so I thought I'd have some idea, but yeah, I guess 21 is a pretty big deal.
At least over here, it's a more significant age than say, 19 or 20.
Not particularly important, really. 18 is more of a big deal because that's when you can vote, drink (legally), smoke (legally), watch adult films (legally), and do what you want basically. There are very few things you can't do until you're 21.
Unless you're a filthy muggle.thaluikhain said:
All my family seem to think 18 and 21 are big birthdays.
It's not really a big deal these days, just a great excuse for a piss up.
The only birthdays that mean you get to (legally) do new exciting things are 16(sex), 17 (driving) and 18 (drinking).
About the only new thing you can do at 21 is get a HGV licence.
The only birthdays that mean you get to (legally) do new exciting things are 16(sex), 17 (driving) and 18 (drinking).
About the only new thing you can do at 21 is get a HGV licence.
I think so to a certain degree, not sure why though. All I know my brother think it's important in some way but I don't.
My parents and, in fact, everyone I know, always said it was 18. You know, because in the UK 18 is the legal age for a lot of shit, not 21.
In Ireland it's celebrated more than most birthdays, apart from your 18th.
I'm not exactly sure why but the parties are always really good fun so I'm not complaining.
I'm not exactly sure why but the parties are always really good fun so I'm not complaining.
18,21 and 25 are big deal birthday's. Following them it's the decade thing (30,40,50 etc)
18 because you're legally old enough to do pretty much anything in England, though in my experience you get ID'd much more than when you were 17.
21 because at that point you should be on the first step of your life proper. Or at least have some kind of plan/goal/qualifications
25 because by now you should have actually done something with yourself.
18 because you're legally old enough to do pretty much anything in England, though in my experience you get ID'd much more than when you were 17.
21 because at that point you should be on the first step of your life proper. Or at least have some kind of plan/goal/qualifications
25 because by now you should have actually done something with yourself.
It used to be, not so much anymore.
It was the age you could vote at one time (age since dropped to 18) and you were legally considered an adult.
As far as it goes today, up until 21 a lot of people are still in education in the UK so the 21st is still viewed as the transition into adulthood by a lot of folks.
I don't remember much of my 21st though. All I remember is being pinned to a chair and a funnel shoved in my mouth through which various spirits were poured. I was incredibly drunk apparently and struggling to walk. I ended up doing 5 days in our regiments jail for something I said to our CO when I got back to barracks although no bugger can remember what I said.
It was the age you could vote at one time (age since dropped to 18) and you were legally considered an adult.
As far as it goes today, up until 21 a lot of people are still in education in the UK so the 21st is still viewed as the transition into adulthood by a lot of folks.
I don't remember much of my 21st though. All I remember is being pinned to a chair and a funnel shoved in my mouth through which various spirits were poured. I was incredibly drunk apparently and struggling to walk. I ended up doing 5 days in our regiments jail for something I said to our CO when I got back to barracks although no bugger can remember what I said.
Hmmm... As far as I know (I.E. What happens in my family) the only important birthdays are 13 (Becoming a teenager) and 18 (Becoming an adult and being able to do most things)
21 doesn't seem very special since all it really does is allow you to learn to drive larger vehicles... I believe it's also the age where you generally stop looking young enough to be asked for ID at certain places.
The only relevent information I can currently remember that might make it important is that when people are "Coming of age" it usually refers to 18 or 21 dependant on the person who is saying it...
21 doesn't seem very special since all it really does is allow you to learn to drive larger vehicles... I believe it's also the age where you generally stop looking young enough to be asked for ID at certain places.
The only relevent information I can currently remember that might make it important is that when people are "Coming of age" it usually refers to 18 or 21 dependant on the person who is saying it...
think its to do with being a proper adult, its when you would finish university and start your life in the 'real world', in my case i took some time off so i finished at 23 