GENDER reveals can be stressful for expecting parents, but this soon-to-be dad’s awkward reaction has left people cringing.
The tracksuit-clad man celebrated his baby’s gender reveal by trying to SHAKE HANDS with his girlfriend ‘like sealing a business deal’.
The couple excitedly revealed the gender of their baby on social media[/caption]
The couple cut into a cake to find out if they’d be having a boy or a girl[/caption]
The dad’s awkward handshake left TikTok users cringing[/caption]
Lois Wood and Stephen North used a cheese theme to find out the gender of their third child, with the colour hidden within the baked camembert.
Video footage shows Lois cutting it open to reveal blue cheese oozing from the centre.
However it then captures the embarrassing moment her 32-year-old partner held his hand out for a handshake instead of a hug.
Lois says ‘Oh my god, it’s a f**kin boy’ and instead goes to hug Stephen, ignoring the security worker’s outstretched hand – to the hilarity of guests.
The housekeeper admits she was left ‘confused’ by her partner of 14 years’ choice of celebration while social media commenters quipped ‘nice doing business with you’.
Lois, from Esher, Surrey, said: “When I cut into it, the cheese oozed out and was blue.
“I was shocked because I really thought it was a girl and Stephen really thought it was a boy.
“He was happy with his prediction – that’s why he looked a bit smug and looked at me.
“I was just a bit confused [when he held his hand out].
“Obviously I put my arms out to hug him because that’s what you do when you find out what gender you’re having, but he just put his hand out to shake it.
“I was a bit like ‘what are you doing?’ There’s all these people standing in front of me and then obviously he put his hand back away and hugged me.
“I was just confused, I wasn’t annoyed.”
Lois shared the clip on TikTok this week [August 24], comparing his reaction during the October 2022 gender reveal to a ‘business transaction’.
The video has since gone viral with more than 9million views as social media users jokingly asked if it was the first time the couple had met and compared the interaction to a ‘football transfer’.
Lois explained that the security worker’s reaction was a combination of him being ‘socially awkward’ and the pressure of having 30 people stood behind the camera watching the big reveal.
Lois said: “I know how awkward Stephen is. That was our first gender reveal and we hadn’t had one before.
“He didn’t really understand what they are about or why people do them.
“He is quite a socially awkward person so the fact that we were standing there in front of 30 people, he just felt a little bit on the spot.
“I think he just did it out of awkwardness and he was just really confused about what was going on.
“I don’t think it ruined it at all. I think it made it one to remember.”
After sharing the clip on TikTok, a number of users left comments about Stephen’s decision to wear a tracksuit for the reveal, while Lois stuns in a floral patterned dress.
One user wrote: “Nice to see you in a dress and him break out his best North Face tracksuit.”
And a second said: “A dress and a tracksuit.”
But Lois has defended Stephen’s outfit choice, saying that he is a ‘relaxed guy’ who likes to be comfortable.
Obviously I put my arms out to hug him because that’s what you do when you find out what gender you’re having, but he just put his hand out to shake it.”
Lois said: “Stephen doesn’t dress like that all the time but he just likes being comfortable.
“It was in our house, in our garden and it was only family there.
“Like I said, he’s never done a gender reveal, he’s never been to a gender reveal, he didn’t really know what they were so he just wore something to be comfortable.
“That’s Stephen through and through. He’s just a relaxed, laid back guy.”
Lois says that herself and Stephen were left laughing at the majority of the comments – but admits that there were some times when she felt the need to jump to the dad-of-three’s defence.
Lois said: “We both sat up laughing at them all the first night.
What’s the Deal with Gender Reveals & Why is Everyone Having Them?
What Is A Gender Reveal?
Gender reveal parties are celebrations where expectant parents announce the sex of their baby in a creative and often dramatic way.
These events have gained significant popularity, especially through social media.
The trend began in the late 2000s and has since exploded in popularity.
The concept was popularised by parents who wanted to share their excitement with family and friends in a memorable and engaging way.
Common Methods:
- Cakes: Cutting a cake filled with either blue or pink filling.
- Balloons: Popping a balloon to release colored confetti.
- Smoke Bombs: Releasing colored smoke.
- Piñatas: Breaking a piñata to reveal colored candies or confetti.
- Fireworks: Using fireworks to display blue or pink colors.
Why Are They So Popular?
- Social Media Influence: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube have amplified the trend, with many parents posting videos and photos that go viral.
- Milestone Celebration: It’s an additional way for parents to celebrate a significant milestone during pregnancy.
- Creativity: These events offer an outlet for parents to be creative and personalize their announcement.
- Community Sharing: They provide an opportunity to include extended family and friends in the pregnancy journey.
Controversies:
- Safety Concerns: Some gender reveal methods have led to accidents and even wildfires.
- Environmental Impact: The use of non-biodegradable materials and fireworks can have environmental consequences.
- Inclusivity: There’s growing awareness and sensitivity towards non-binary and transgender identities, leading to criticism that these events can be exclusionary.
Despite the controversies, gender reveal parties continue to evolve.
Some parents are opting for more eco-friendly and inclusive ways to celebrate, while others are choosing to forgo the tradition altogether.
In summary, gender reveals are a modern trend driven by social media, creativity, and the desire to celebrate milestones.
However, they also come with their share of controversies, prompting some to reconsider how they choose to share their baby news.
“But then some of them did annoy me when people were saying things like ‘was it a one night stand’, or ‘was it the first time that you’ve met’, ‘he’s a red flag’.”
She continued: “But if I see people in my notifications saying that he’s red flag I do comment back and say that we’ve been together for 14 years and this is our third baby.”
After sharing video footage of the gender reveal on TikTok last week the clip went viral, racking up more than 10 million views, likes, shares and comments.
One user wrote: “Have you two met before.”
A second said: “Just made a new signing during transfer window.”
Someone else wrote: “Why does he feel like a stranger you brought in from the street?”
Another person commented: “Nice doing business with you.”
The couple thought the internet’s reaction to the clip was funny[/caption]
The couple have been together for 14 years[/caption]