I have a family member who had her son handwrite G.E.D. diploma announcements (which had graduate and celebrate spelled incorrectly) This boy is not mentally impaired and does not have any learning disability. The mother of this boy then handed them out to family members. My first responses was to tell her she should ask for a refund because he can not spell, but I thought that would be in poor taste. What is the proper response to something like this? I have never received a card announcing a G.E.D. graduation before, there is no mention of a graduation party. Am I wrong in thinking that this is in poor taste?
2006-11-24 15:43:53 · 21 answers · asked by Barbara F 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
No. I think that you're right. I would mail him a Congratulations card, and that's all.
2006-11-24 15:46:27 · answer #1 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of college graduates who can't spell very well. It's too bad the boy didn't make sure of correct spelling, but he did take the time to handwrite the announcements. Maybe the mother thought this was more personal to family members than doing it on a computer.
I think you are being too critical! At least he got his G.E.D. And hopefully, he will get some further education, whether it's college or a trade school.
If he had graduated from high school, would you give him a gift? After all, he did accomplish the equivalent of a high school education. If you wouldn't normally give him a gift, a card is definitely proper.
I would get the boy a card and maybe a gift card to a store like Best Buy. Lots of things in there for young people.
2006-11-25 05:48:08 · answer #2 · answered by Cat Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My compliments on holding your tongue about the misspelled announcements. It would be tempting, and I have actually called "National American University" on a commercial that included the spelling "alright." But for an individual and family member, yours is the kinder response.
I would respond the same way you would to a high school graduation announcement where you aren't invited to a party.
At least a letter or card of congratulations, maybe an inquiry of future plans. Getting one's GED is an accomplishment, after all.
By the way, I know some very intelligent and non-disabled people to whom spelling just does not come naturally. That's why God created spell-check. Not that it catches everything -- our local newspaper, the paper that brought us Dr. Martin Lutheran King Day, once printed an article about schools and left out the "L" in "public."
2006-11-24 23:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by Coriander 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes maybe poor taste, but shouldn't we all be happy for any accomplishment no matter how small? What may mean nothing to you might be something big to him, lets not forget this.
My grandmother recieved her GED the year I was born, she was never a great speller afterward but it was enough to get her what she was seeking, an accomplishment of her education, and a job. Two things she lacked before recieving the piece of paper.
A GED is only a test you have to pass, after completing so many hours of class time. Thank god that spelling is not one of the requirements b/c half of the people in America wouldn't have a GED. Maybe the person who did have a GED can't spell either b/c they also did not cathh the mistakes.
A proper acknowledgement might be send a note or congrats card or possibly a hook up with a job, his next big accomplishment.
2006-11-25 01:00:37 · answer #4 · answered by nene 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Oh, I don't know, it's not so unusual to send out high-school graduation announcements, so why not GED announcements. Too bad they were misspelled, but everybody makes spelling mistakes from time to time. I'd say that you could do the same thing that you would do in response to a high-school graduation announcement: send a gift if you'd like, and send a congratulations card if not.
2006-11-25 14:07:11 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A GED is very important to the recipient & the party is in very good taste, it you give a gift just as you would for a "regular" graduation. Be happy for him, he is making the first step in growing up and possibly getting an education. A lot of employeers woun't even hire some one with out a GED or high school diploma.
2006-11-24 23:53:40 · answer #6 · answered by Julia B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The son showed effort in attaining the GED. It's a step in the right direction and hopefully then to college, tech school or something of that nature. The thing to do is further encourage him in his educational pursuits.
It might be nice to send a card congratulating him and if you feel like it, a gift card to a store he likes to shop at. She could have thrown him a little party. Either way, I think it's fair to acknowledge his achievement and not penalize him for his mom's lack of manners.
2006-11-25 03:37:42 · answer #7 · answered by Lake Lover 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people who get a GED do not have a party for it, but she probably did not want him to miss out on what is a normal rite of passage.... graduation.
I would not get him a gift, but a general Congratulations card and that would be enough.
I once threw a GED graduation party, because the man was a friend who was born with cerebral palsy. His whole life people told him he couldn't do things because of his disability, so he never finished school and was cared for by the state. He was in his 30s and decided that since there was nothing wrong with his mind, he could get a GED. He wanted to "finish high school" so to speak, like any "normal" person.
So when he got his GED I threw him a big surprise party, invited his family, close friends, and the pastor from our church to offer prayer at the ceremony. We all pitched in to get him a tape recorder he could use for COLLEGE because he was unable to write to take notes because of his disability.
That was different.... in your case, I think not. But since they sent an announcement... a simple card of congratulations would be reasonable.
God Bless,
Sue
2006-11-24 23:51:30 · answer #8 · answered by newbiegranny 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the custom in your family is a monetary gift, then you should respond accordingly. If not, send a card of congrats and call it a day. I would avoid telling her to avoid asking for a refund because that would hurt not only her feelings but also her sons' feelings. Granted a GED is not a PHD but at least he has completed a GED
2006-11-24 23:55:13 · answer #9 · answered by wanninonni 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First of all,k you are shallow to think this person did not get a good education for a GED program. Everyone spells thigs wrong once in a while. Get over it.
Secondly, your response should be a congratulations thing. Anything. A card, a gift, a party. A GED is just as equivalent as a diploma and to be honest getting your GED is a big step for that person's future. It shows regardless of their life's decisions, they are still interested in expanding their education of the mind.
Grow up and stop being a ***** to someone who just wants someone to be proud of them regardless of their social class.
2006-11-25 00:39:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
The proper thing to do is to get a congratulations card and put a little money in it as you would do for a high school graduation. I know that these days in order to get a GED you have to go to classes and then you're tested. At least he made an effort...and it is really the proper thing for you to do to respond to this announcement card and wish your relative's son well...
2006-11-24 23:48:03 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋