I’ve never cared much for Birthdays and if Deathdays were popular I most likely wouldn’t be as eager to celebrate either. I’ve rarely had birthday cakes on my birthday and gifts from adulthood have been rare and few between, what I did(do) receive and treasure were cards and notes from Family and friends and some would also take a “Red Envelope” type approach to gifting which is popular in South East Asian cultures at celebration times.

Basically in todays terms that would be Money/Gift Cards/Money Transfers with the Card/Notes/Messages wishing one a Happy Birthday.

Where I hail from outward celebration of ones Birthday and having parties is an alien concept. Such acts are frowned upon and it would be highly discouraged to celebrate ones birthday.
Acknowledge yes, make humble gestures absolutely but to obnoxiously make so much about you… It could never be me.

When in Rome… Do as the Romans do. I do not like this idiom.
One must indeed adapt to their cultural surroundings and to the best of their abilities find some middle ground to take on their new home’s customs and tradition so long as it does not strongly conflict with their core KNOWING.

When my step children were younger I was very supportive of typical western celebrations such as birthdays, the same would apply now with my Daughter she enjoys it naturally as any child would and I do too. I enjoy receiving cards and home-made gifts from her on mine, it may be the only outside acknowledgement I receieve and it’s enough.

There are many things done differently.

When it is Summer in the Northern Hemisphere the Winter begings for the Southern
However it might not be so Hot but continues to be cold in all parts of the North at all and it can be dry and hot in the south.

What happens is Rome sets the Tone. I never liked this idiom.

It’s often very telling how a culture behaves based when something comes to affect their status quo or even make it come tumbling down.
Seeing a Tsunami can be a humbling experience.
Seeing a Mega-Tsunami will leave you humble.
Seeing a Mammoth-Tsunami will have you make peace with your creator.

Regards,

Alexander/Zenchi