To all the British Escapists

[Kungfu_Teddybear]

It's not really important. People just seem to think it's a milestone and use it as an excuse to go and get pissed. Naturally on my 21st I spent the day in the house with my girlfriend watching films and eating Chinese take-a-way.

Because that's how I roll, deal with it.

 

[scw55]

21 is when you get a higher minium wage, so basically more munny from being employed. In a way, it's your last trial for adulthood. You're now an adult.

 

[Cracker3011]

As above, the 21st b-day is when you're considered a full adult. You can drink in pubs (with a meal) at 14, have a fuck at 16, drive a car at 17, buy anything at 18, and get a decent job at 21.

 

[Blunderboy]

25 because by now you should have actually done something with yourself.

Well thank you for making me feel great.
[/sarcastic 25 year old]

Oh who am I kidding, I'm never going to stop being sarcastic.

Uh, never really heard of 21 being important here in Britain. The important ones are really 16 (you can leave school), 18 (you're an adult) and 20 (out of your teens).

I've never really heard of 20 being considered a big birthday. I guess it makes a bit more sense then 21. Maybe.

 

[Lukeje]

21 doesn't really mean anything... it's supposedly the age at which you become an adult or some such, but most people have been dealing with `adult' problems for half a decade before reaching that age.

 

[Wolfhowl the shadow lurker]

do you stop growing at 20 or 21 something like that?

over here 21 is like 20 but then one more

ok joking aside I really don't know

 

[Sgt. Dante]

Yes, although I have no idea why its considered important.

I mean I understand why the US denziens celebrate being finally able to drink, but the average Scot has had his first liver transplant by that age.

 

[albear]

Its when your supposed to get the 'Key to the door'
its a generational thing so your grandma would tell you its an important age because 'back in her day' it was.

nowadays though, not so much, but still even if you dont know why your celebrating, tradition is tradition

 

[JoJo]

Supposedly according to my mum 21 is an important birthday as it's when you traditionally become an adult, but nowadays everyone uses 18 instead.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

It used to be when 21 was more widely recognised as the age you become an adult, but now, not so much. Some still see it as a fairly big deal, usually people from older generations, though personally I don't see the importance/significence in any birthday, it's just another day to me.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

As long as this thread is attracting British people, I have a question too.

Do people actually watch Dr. Who over there?

Because no one fucking watches that show over here. I've tried to get my friends into it, but it's kind of a hard sell, you know? I mean, the entire first and second season...Well, they take some getting used to, let's put it that way. I mean, you have to admit, the show is a bit of an acquired taste, and it takes almost 2 whole seasons before you get to the good ones.

*sigh* Anyway, do people actually watch it over there?

EDIT: Question answered, thanks guys. *sigh*....I wish I had British friends....

 

[Mr Companion]

Nah its 18 you want, by that point you can do whatever. Hells im 18 and if I wanted to I could steer a car with one hand, smoke with the other and let the girl jumping on my lap shove cheap booze down my open mouth. To be fair I would probably crash and the insurance would be hell but its POSSIBLE.

 

[Kaymish]

well im a New Zealander but our culture it pretty similar i think in the past it was a coming of age thingie and you would get a key to your parents house of something but these days it is just an excuse to force the "birthday person" to drink a full yard glass of beer or something i got a gold old style key that is completely useless except as jewellery and had to skull a yard glass of beer then i puked up on my uncles shoes

 

[Blunderboy]

As long as this thread is attracting British people, I have a question too.

Do people actually watch Dr. Who over there?

Because no one fucking watches that show over here. I've tried to get my friends into it, but it's kind of a hard sell, you know? I mean, the entire first and second season...Well, they take some getting used to, let's put it that way. I mean, you have to admit, the show is a bit of an acquired taste, and it takes almost 2 whole seasons before you get to the good ones.

*sigh* Anyway, do people actually watch it over there?

Yes, it's a pretty central part of the BBC's Saturday night line up.
Although I tend to watch it later on iPlayer.

 

[Daveman]

WEll not for any legal things, basically you're good to go when you're 18. It would be your age when you would typically finish university... so it's kind of important, we tend to have big birthday parties on them.

 

[Togs]

18 is when your legally considered an adult, but back in the ages of chivalry it was 21 as that was the age when you were supposedly strong enough to start wielding a sword.

 

[Garthoc]

when I turned 21 my parents considered that me offically an adult. so they stop giving me money and through me out into the cold to fend for myself.

yes we really do watch Dr Who, its been on TV for somthing stupid like 60 years over here.

 

[El Poncho]

21st isn't exactly important, it's just one of the big numbers like 18.