7/23    Hello, I'm disillusioned and just want to vent. I'm in my
        30s and ~80% of my friends have gotten married in the last 6 years.
        I'm one of the few who is still single. I used to get pretty excited
        for my friends' weddings and I'd get really nice gifts. As it turns
        out, none of my former friends are now friends, or even acquaintances
        They're all too busy with their own little world and just don't
        have time to be your friend. Some don't even seem to want to be your
        friend anymore because their wives don't like you. A few got divorced
        and the gifts I gave them all went to THE BITCH with whom I don't
        even know well. Next month I'm going to another close friend's
        wedding and I'm pretty sure he's going to turn out like every other
        married man, so I decided to be smart this time. I bought him a a
        gift that's worth a measly $20. Happy marriage you ungrateful married
        "friends". Mr. Motd, thanks for letting me vent, you seem to
        be my only lasting friend.        -bnmg (bitter not married guy)
        \_ You know, after listening to your self-involved whiny rants on the
           motd, it occurs to me that perhaps your friends are avoiding you
           with good reason.  I've had very little trouble keeping in touch
           and spending time with my married friends -- even the ones with
           childen.  They may be a little busier, but it's not THAT hard...
           but then, my friends actually want to spend time with me.
        \_ Maybe you should think of them as farewell gifts.  Marriage
           makes you busy.  Have children even more so.
           \_ Exactly. Why give nice things when you'll never see them again.
        \_ I never understood why people bother to get gifts. I mean,
           it's not like they will have a conversation where they
           say "We got our <brand_name> pots and pans from Bob, he's
           such a sweet guy, let's invite him for dinner!" As a matter
           of fact they don't even remember where they got their fucking
           gifts from and don't even care. And even if they do appreciate
           it, you will never see them 1/2 of the time. Divorce rate is
           50%. Why bother.
           \_ don't splurge so much next time.
        \_ Just curious, did you start hanging out with your divorced
           buddies again?