21st... why is it so important

[tegwin]

I am nearing my 21st birthday... everyone keeps telling me how important it is and keeps asking me what I want for this "special birthday"

So... can anyone explain why it is classed as "important"


And lets hear what your parents gave you for your 21st....

[Simpo Two]

Well, you're (hopefully) three years older and wiser than when you were 18.

18 y/os can vote for Prime Minsters and buy alcohol and don't seem to be doing too well with those responsibilities, so 21 has a lot going for it I think.

[youngsyr]

Did it not use to be the voting age in the UK, many moons ago?

It's also the age that you're allowed to start drinking in the US, so it might be an imported celebration, like Trick or Treating on Haloween?

[SGirl]

It used to be the official age of majority.

[Nolar Dog]

It's because most parents expect you to leave home when you reach 21.

You have packed haven't you?

Happy Birthday in advance btw.

For my 21st I got a gold ring with my 3 initials on. I've since had it melted down and a bespoke pendant made from it.

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

I have never understood this, I always thought becoming 20 more significant as you are officially out of you teens? Seems more reasonable to celebrate this instead, although any excuse for a piss up in IMO is great by me

[Pyro]

Im also turning 21 this year and wondered the same, i reckon its something to do with officially becoming an adult....

[Dracoro]

At 21 you can represent your peers in the HoC (need the small matter of getting elected first though )

[Eric Mc]

Up until 1969, it was the age at which you legally ceased to be a "infant" and became an "adult" (gaining your "majority" - as mentioned above). Since 1969, the age of "majority" has been 18, not 21. So legally, it has very little significance at all.

Gaining your majority is important in law as it enables you to enter into legal contracts and agreements without an "adult" having to countersign the agreement.

[Mexico.]

What eric said on my 21st birthday i had the enemy(not the band) shooting at me made me grow up

[tegwin]

Mexico. said:

What eric said on my 21st birthday i had the enemy(not the band) shooting at me made me grow up

Im working that... but dont think it will be for this birthday!

[collateral]

I was in the States for my 18th and here for my 21st

Fail.

[LukeBird]

collateral said:

I was in the States for my 18th and here for my 21st

Fail.

Indeed.
'Epic fail' perchance?

You can ride a motorcycle of any cc at 21, upto you're limited to a 400 and a certain bhp/tonne, no?

[fadeaway]

anyone know where the association with keys with your 21st comes from?

[okgo]

Nothing its crap.

[Sheets Tabuer]

fadeaway said:

anyone know where the association with keys with your 21st comes from?

They are the symbolic keys you would hand over to your wife for your ball and chain however very few get wed these days that early (except me )

On my 21st I had fish & chips and took the dog for a walk

[Merp]

My 21st was 10 days ago. I recently moved out at the begining of the year with my girlfriend and bought our first house so my parents gave me 5k towards our deposit [25k total] so that was pretty good.

My mrs bought us 3 day Pass to the F1 at Silverstone this year. Sat in the stand at Club.
Mrs Parents got me some snowboarding lessons at MK Excape Dome as i want to go next year.

Had a bit of a family get together and mates around parents house on my Birthday.

But this friday im out to Prague with the lads for the weekend, so its going to be a heavy one.

All in all i think its a pretty good Birthday.

Plus my bro bought me a load of Meguiers Cleaning kit for the new car.

[Romanymagic]

I cannot remember my 21st, it was so long ago...

[elster]

1. You can get more money (Higher minimum wage)
2. You can get a licence to drive any Motorcycle over 25kW
3. You can get a licence to drive commercial vehicles
4. You can supervise a learner driver
5. You can adopt
6. You can supervise under 14's shooting
7. You can become a corrupt Politician
8. You can go to big boys prison

I'm sure I have missed a couple out.

But generally 21st isn't actually important anymore.

[Rob.]

I think too much of a fuss is made over the 18th, 21st, 30th etc. etc. what's the big deal?