Costly outings that feel mandatory, like birthday dinners, sometimes breed resentment, says etiquette expert Elaine Swann: ...

Carolyn Hax: Busy mom wants a low-key birthday, but her mother has other ideas. She just wants to unwind on the couch for her birthday, but her mom is flying in and will insist on a fancy dinner out.

“Today is my birthday and I’m having my birthday dinner at Costco,” Stimmel, who posts under the handle @allthingsbeautybymadison, shared in the footage, which has garnered 2.2 million views.

After spending over $200 on dinner [not] including tip, we didn’t even know what he ate, and the entire time we were just both on edge and panicking and like just trying to get her to calm down ...

While there are many ways one can celebrate their birthday, some may enjoy it in a more private setting, and some may choose a fancy dinner. And it seems like Padma Lakshmi falls in the latter ...