Do you know the birth date of your parents?
By Zhu Huifen
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
China
February 18, 2009 4:46am CST
A university includes in its interview questionaire the above question. The intent is obvious. While students are encouraged to seek for high scores, their basic moral requirement shoud be equally stressed.
Parents know so well the birth date of their children, but I doubt if the children could know that of their parents. Or are they ready to do anything to express their appreciation?
12 people like this
64 responses
@Fadolf (545)
• Slovenia
18 Feb 09
Of course I know! I would be ashamed if I don't know the birthday of my closest friends and especially my family. Remembering a phone number isn't important but remembering someone's birthday is a good manner! Do you know the birthday of your parents?
2 people like this
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 09
I have a very good memory for the date of close family members birthdays. I know that date of birth of both my parents. I also know the date of birth of my sister, her husband, my nephews and my nieces. I think I might feel nervous at a university interview and I can imagine some people did forget the date of their parents date of birth. My mother's birthday is always very close to Mother's Day in my home country.
1 person likes this
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
20 Feb 09
Yes i know the birth dates of my parents.I know the birth dates of my mom and dad.I really don't remember what is their age.But i know it can be calculated.Now i have the mobile phone card in my dad's name.So they always ask for my dad's date of birth.If i answer correct i get my problem solved.Otherwise they say sorry and cut the line.
1 person likes this
@eabaterina (501)
• Philippines
23 Feb 09
yes, i know the birthdays of my parents and sister, usually i need a reminder for myself for my friends' birthdays but for my family, i dont need a reminder. it is something we always celebrate at home so somehow we never forget family birthdays. we try to celebrate even in a simple way. i remember one time when i was a kid, i used all my savings to buy ice cream for my dad's birthday.=)
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
19 Feb 09
yes i do... i always know it ever since i am a child and i always wish them happy b'day every year and send them cards because i live so far away from them... that is the least that i can do for them to show my love to them... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@wyrdsister (584)
• Canada
19 Feb 09
I do know both of my parents birthdays! I also make sure to wish them happy birthday every year.
A previous poster commented that they did not know the birthday of their parents due to the fact records were not kept in the village where they were born. I can see this being true in many parts of the world. In fact, we do not know my grandmother's exact date of birth due to the fact that there was a great fire in her town when she was born, and the hospital itself was on fire! She was born in a make-shift hospital in another part of town. Due to the fire, a lot of people got lost in the shuffle, so accurate records could not be kept. But we still celebrate her birthday every year!
1 person likes this
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
Yes.. i know the birth date of my parents, my grandparents, my siblings, my mom's side of the family, my hubby and some close friends... my dad's birthday is on August 13 while mom's is one April 13.. Mom is a year older than my dad but my mom looks younger than my dad.. =p
@wyethlovesyou (349)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
Hello there zhuhuifen46. Good day to you. Yes I know the birth dates of my parents and their age as well. I really want to know everything about them, their history, their story, and other stuff. They are one of the special persons in my life that's why I want to update myself about them. I really appreciated them alot and they also appreciated me. I know that not all of the children know the birth date of their parents, but its an opportunity and appreciation to know. Because someday we will also be a parent and we also want our children to know stuff about us.
1 person likes this
@xkuroxhimex (15)
• United States
19 Feb 09
It seems like this is true. I've come across people who don't know their parent's D.O.B. but when I was in middle school (and it wasn't long ago, I've only just started college) everyone knew their parent's D.O.B. My friends know that about their parents and I know mine. My mom's B-day is coming up tomorrow but I'm sad because I have so many things to do that day! I kind of don't want to go so that we could do something but at the same time I have a responsibility. I was hoping we'd get all Sat. for her but my sister has a competition that day so guess where mom and I will be? There with my sis for support! I'm pretty sure it will end around noon so we have the evening! My grandmother's D.O.B is the same date as my mom's only 1911. My dad's is April 20th 3 yrs. before my mom. As for my other grandparents... I guess it's the fact that we're not close although I'm aware that my other grandmother's B-day is in June near my youngest sister's b-day.
I have 2 older siblings with who I don't live with and I somewhat know their b-day. My brother's is March 27 and my sister's is July... (i feel bad for not knowing, i'm pretty sure it's around the 4th)
I guess b-days to me are of importance. My family and I are really close though! We're one of the few because I've come across siblings who are only 1 yr. away in age and don't know ANYTHING about each other! It amazes me! My sisters and I (the 3 from the same marriage who live together) are 5 yrs. apart and are EXTREMELY close! I have a huge connection with my parents and clear communication about anything and everything! Not many families are like that which is why I find myself fortunate. I feel that that is also a factor in not knowing something as simple as a D.O.B. You're not as close and therefore are not apt to paying attention to the little things.
@heide2008 (53)
• China
19 Feb 09
My father's birthday is January 15 on the lunar calendar -the lantern festival in china.So my brothers and i can remember it clearly.But we all don't know the birthday of my mum.Because my grandmother raised six children,and forgot my mum's birthday.When we celebrat for my father's bithday,and we say 'Happy Birthday 'to my mum ,too.
1 person likes this
@jongdeguapito (140)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
Nice question. I know the month and the day but im not sure of the year. Lol. It was a bit embarassing because when i have to fill out some forms that requires those information, I have to call up my sister and ask for it.
1 person likes this
@Braveheartok103 (380)
• China
19 Feb 09
In recently years, I had got my parents birthdays. And it is funny that my father's birthday is one day before my husband's. Ususally, I send them short messages by phone on their birthdays or bought small gifts for them. Your parents are the best person for you in the world. Try to cherish them!
@carlynganda (749)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
oh my..this discussion is making me feel bad now..i know the day and month of my parents birthday but the birthyear is questionnable..maybe because i dont take them as adult..they are still young..they are my buddies..but still this is the kind of things that we should not neglect..they are our immediate family..we should know all about them than those birth certificates..
@celebratelifeh (1142)
• China
19 Feb 09
yes i know both of them, i keep this in mind when i was a pupil, i also know the birthday of my whole family.my father's birthday was two days ago, i called him at the early morning and told him my good wishes for him this year, i wish him enjoy peace, healthy and happy, but i didn't come back to him to celebrate his birthday for more than 10 years, i think next year i will try to back and enjoy the day with him.
1 person likes this
@Jae2619 (1483)
• United States
18 Feb 09
I am very thankful that I know both my parents birthdates, as well as my grandparents and my husband's side. My son of 6 knows mine and his fathers, though we've always stressed little things to him.
I would be very embarassed not to know my parent's birthdates, it would sadden my mother if I didn't know. In todays world though, alot of people don't find that being something to make important.
On my mother's birthday we always call her, and my brothers and sisters that live cloes to her, take her out to dinner and celebrate that with her. I always send card, and gift but being 1100 miles from her it's hard to have the dinner.
@jenisky (406)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
hello,its great feeling to know the birthdates of people close to us,especially our parents.i have 8 siblings and all of us knew our parents birthdates because we always celebrate my parents birthdays,though we only celebrate mom's bday because my dad's already passed away. its always a nice feeling when someone's greeted you on your bday that's why i always remember not just my parents birthdates but everybody's special to me :)
1 person likes this
@strawberrychocodahi (4818)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
Hello Zhuhuifen46, I do know my parents birthdays. We always celebrate it that's why. If parents know our own birthdays, so do we. My mom's birthday is June 15, 1950 and my father's birthday was Nov. 10, 1945.
I do know this even if i was 7 years old. And i never forget it every year i give them cards or gifts as we celebrate their birthdays.
We must honor our parents and love them. It is one of the ten commandments of God. And by this, we show our love and gratitude to them for being our parents.
1 person likes this
@bubbletush (1332)
• Philippines
19 Feb 09
yup i do know my parents birth dates and even birth places. same goes with my two sisters.
1 person likes this