MovieChat Forums > Judge Judy (1996) Discussion > 600 people at a 'Sweet 15' ?

600 people at a 'Sweet 15' ?

posted 8 years ago by pvd295
14 replies | jump to latest

Interesting case on 1-27 about the couple suing the 'party planner' for their daughter's Sweet 15 Party. Honestly, I could not understand either litigant all too well (they definitely needed an interpreter) and much of the beginning had to be explained to Judge Judy, as she was not familiar with their culture either. The party planner said a few times 'That's how we do it', which sounded very wrong to me - but that's another story.

Anyhow, a few questions...

1. How in the world did they invite 600 people? (I'm sure Trump would have loved to have been at THAT party with his beefed up ICE team ). I don't even know 600 people to invite to my party or a friend's or family member's....where in the world did they find 600 people to attend this party the day after Christmas??? Did they all bring a gift?

2. What did they eat/drink for $17 per person which included an open bar?

"Splodey heads keep splodin' " - Sarah Palin, 7-1-16 

[–] desertsmiles 8 years ago

I was thinking the same thing about the amount of people and I have a really big family. They must have invited everyone they knew and have ever known. Then they had the nerve to ask for all their money back and then some after all that.

[–] pvd295 8 years ago

Personally, I like much smaller gatherings for anything 'special'. When I turned 50 a few years ago, I told family and friends I wanted to host my OWN party - no surprise party (they had a surprise party for me when I turned 40; it was fun but way too many people for my liking). I picked the restaurant where I wanted to have it, picked the 'private room', picked the menu choices, picked the wines for the table (it was open bar before that), picked the appetizers, etc. I limited my guest list to 12 very important people in my life whom I wanted to celebrate with (including my dad and my sister), and we had a great time.It was intimate, I had a chance to engage with everyone - and everyone had a chance to engage with others (some of my close friends had never met each other before). At the end of the night, it cost me about $1,000 - which is what I budgeted for....that included everything from food, to liquor, to birthday cake, to centerpieces, to tax and tip. For 12 people.

To this day, 3 years later, I still have my guests come up to me and tell me what a beautiful party it was - and they are going to do the same at their next big event.

On the other hand, I've been to 'big parites' of friends and family over the years - 200 - 300 guests, and they just weren't enjoyable. No one ate at the same time, no one knew each other but had to sit with them all night, no one had a chance to mingle with the guest of honor/host, etc. I don't like those at all.

"Splodey heads keep splodin' " - Sarah Palin, 7-1-16 

[–] desertsmiles 8 years ago

I agree. I'm definitely into more smaller, intimate events. I would never enjoy myself at a party that big.

[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

Judy, as she was not familiar with their culture either. The party planner said a few times 'That's how we do it', which sounded very wrong to me - but that's another story.

I didn't see the case, PVD, but I recall a similar case on "The People's Court" years ago about such a celebration. It seems to be part of the Latino or Hispanic culture. Judge Milian, being Cuban, was familiar with it.

Thinking back, I was invited to such an event by people (Puerto Ricans) from my Church. It was catered, very elaborate, and was more like a wedding reception than a "birthday party."

And yes, it appeared that they invited every one they ever said "hello" to ! 

[–] Syn84 8 years ago

That's just how things are done. My tattoo artist is from Mexico and from what he's been telling me both of his parents have like 10 brothers and sisters each and then each one of those brothers and sisters has like 5-6 kids. And that's just immediate family. Add friends and friends of friends ...

We have something similar in Serbia, although families here are nowhere near as big. We have this joke on how you know that you're a Serb and one way is when you personally know only 10% of the people at your own wedding. :)

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When I die, I want to be buried face down. That way whoever doesn't like me can kiss my ass.

[–] MiketheMechanic 8 years ago

That's just how things are done.

Exactly, and it applies to families of all backgrounds. I've attended many a christening, wedding, baby shower, sweet sixteen, etc that have had the guest list run into the hundreds, and the party-givers have been from all walks of life.

Most of these start off pretty small, but if you invite Aunt Ida she would insist that you also invite her third cousin from her father's side, and so on and so forth. 

[–] cajayson8301 8 years ago

Oh believe me they invite LOADS of people for quinceaneras (sp?) ...there probably are some out there with more than 600. If anything, that's an ORDINARY number for that kind of party. As for where all come from, your answer is as good as mine!

I've heard that many parents have had to take out a separate loan just for a quinceanera (sp?).

On the fee, I actually know of a local catering service which offers an appetizer, bread roll, drinks (it's just soda) and a main course for $16/person and it's not one of those cheap venues (alcohol costs a little extra)

Donald Trump proved Charles Darwin wrong

[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

I've heard that many parents have had to take out a separate loan just for a quinceanera (sp?).

I wouldn't doubt it.

The one I attended was given by a SINGLE mother with 2 daughters. The woman had health problems, didn't work (I'm quite sure), and often cried "poverty."

I was told by another Church member that at one point, said Mother asked this member to loan her money.

Yet, the daughter "had to" have this elaborate party, as if she was the daughter of royalty.

I don't live like that or spend money I don't have. I don't understand people's values -- or lack of them.

[–] pvd295 8 years ago

I just don't get it. If you can't afford it (like many other things in life), why bother? 

"Splodey heads keep splodin' " - Sarah Palin, 7-1-16 

[–] MiketheMechanic 8 years ago

I just don't get it. If you can't afford it (like many other things in life), why bother?

Because in many circles it's tradition. As are weddings. Most people don't have $20,000 to spend on a wedding but they do it anyway, because it's tradition.

And then spend years paying it off.

[–] pvd295 8 years ago

Most people don't have $20,000 to spend on a wedding but they do it anyway, because it's tradition.

I don't get that, either.

And then spend years paying it off.

Usually divorced before it's paid off!

"Splodey heads keep splodin' " - Sarah Palin, 7-1-16 

[–] MiketheMechanic 8 years ago

Usually divorced before it's paid off!

Yup!

[–] misterbfd 8 years ago

My wife is Cuban, so we had to throw a big quince for my oldest daughter. We had about 50 people total.

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Shooting my latest movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5531336/

[–] TamPalm 8 years ago

I just saw that episode. Couldn't help but wonder how many illegal immigrants. 

"If it doesn't make sense, it's not true." -- Judge Judy
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