Gender reveals have been around for a while, but social media really took them to the next level. 

Balloons, confetti, colored smoke bombs—some of these reveals go off without a hitch, while others explode into hilarious mishaps or even unfortunate accidents. 

It’s become such a cultural phenomenon that you can hardly scroll through your feed without seeing at least one big reveal. But not everyone’s here for the spectacle. 

In fact, I know plenty of people who roll their eyes the second they see another “pink or blue” extravaganza. And you know what? They almost always share a few underlying traits that I find pretty fascinating.

So let’s dive into the six traits that these skeptics typically have in common. You might even see a bit of yourself here.

1. They lean toward a pragmatic view of celebrations

One of the biggest patterns I’ve noticed is that people who find gender reveals silly tend to be pragmatic about parties and events. 

Sure, they can enjoy a good celebration. But if you ask them to put together a choreographed sparkler dance for the camera just to announce whether they’re having a boy or girl, they’ll probably look at you like you just asked them to perform a Broadway show in their living room.

I’ve observed that these folks aren’t opposed to celebrating milestones. They just don’t see the point of going over the top in a way that seems more for social media engagement than genuine connection. 

As the psychologist Barry Schwartz famously discussed in his work on the paradox of choice, adding more complexity and fanfare doesn’t necessarily lead to more joy—sometimes it just leads to decision fatigue and empty theatrics. 

Pragmatists like to keep things simple, focusing on what really matters: sharing news and creating memories with the people closest to them.

2. They have a healthy dose of skepticism toward social norms

Another thing I’ve noticed is that these individuals tend to question traditions or mainstream trends rather than just blindly going along with them. 

A massive gender reveal is, in many ways, a modern tradition that exploded in popularity. 

But if you’re naturally skeptical, you might wonder: Are we doing this because it’s genuinely meaningful, or just because everyone else is doing it?

If a celebration starts feeling like a forced performance because that’s what’s “expected,” then it might lose its essence. 

People who find gender reveals ridiculous often hold a “prove it” stance when they see a social custom pop up. They ask questions like “Who benefits from this?” or “Is there any deeper reason for me to invest my time, money, and energy in this?” 

They’re not cynical per se; they just want to understand the value behind a trend before jumping on board.

3. They value authenticity over spectacle

One friend of mine who can’t stand gender reveals joked, “I already knew the baby was a human—that’s enough information for me.” Beneath the joke, though, is a desire for authenticity that goes beyond pink or blue color codes. 

People who find these parties ridiculous often crave interactions that feel real and personal, rather than orchestrated and broadcast for likes.

They’re not looking to shame anyone who wants a big moment. But you’ll often hear them say something like, “If I’m going to celebrate, I’d rather do it in a way that’s meaningful to me and the people I love, not because I want the perfect TikTok video.” 

As Brené Brown notes in her research on vulnerability and authenticity, meaningful connection is usually rooted in sincere and genuine expression—something that can be tough to maintain under the pressure of creating a “viral” reveal.

4. They’re often minimalists at heart

Minimalism isn’t just about living with fewer possessions; it’s also about cutting out excess in other areas of life. 

Over-the-top gender reveals—complete with pyrotechnics, professional videographers, and a detailed color scheme—don’t exactly align with the minimalist mindset. 

If you’re already someone who believes less can be more, then a giant spectacle to reveal a baby’s sex might strike you as pointless.

Minimalists tend to prioritize meaning and purpose, and they apply that filter to just about everything. If an event feels overblown, they’d rather do something more low-key and intimate. 

These are the people who might do a quick reveal during a relaxed family dinner instead of renting out a venue and surprising everyone with an elaborate countdown. 

In their eyes, the simpler approach is more meaningful because it’s about genuine moments, not an Instagram show.

5. They often have a strong sense of humor about social trends

Sometimes, people who find gender reveals ridiculous handle it with humor. Instead of calling them “pointless” or “annoying,” they crack jokes about how these parties can end up as epic fails. 

They’ll laugh at videos of confetti that didn’t pop, or the couple that ended up with green smoke instead of pink or blue. They don’t mean to be cruel; they just find the concept so overblown that it’s comedic.

What’s interesting is that their sense of humor about these trends often masks a deeper point: they’re questioning the purpose behind it all. 

By making light of these extravagant events, they’re subtly highlighting the absurdity of spending so much time and money on a reveal. 

But it’s easier to laugh about it than to launch into a serious debate every time someone on their timeline sets off pink fireworks and accidentally starts a small brushfire.

6. They care more about the bigger picture than the momentary thrill

At the end of the day, people who dismiss gender reveals as ridiculous are often the kind of folks who think long-term. 

They’re big-picture people who weigh whether a 15-minute spectacle is going to matter in the larger scheme of life events. 

Sure, it might be a fun memory, but will it really shape the family’s experience in the years to come?

This broader perspective often ties into a desire to invest in what truly matters—maybe preparing for the baby’s arrival, strengthening relationships, or working on personal growth before parenthood. 

They’re not heartless or bored by celebrations. They just see a bigger context that extends beyond a single moment of popping colored balloons. 

For them, if an event doesn’t carry lasting meaning or create genuine happiness, it might not be worth the fuss.

Rounding things off

We all have different ways of marking important milestones, and I’m not here to say one approach is “better” than another. But next time you hear someone scoff at the idea of a gender reveal, maybe look at the bigger traits behind that attitude. 

Chances are, they’re not trying to rain on anyone’s parade; they just believe that not every moment needs to be broadcast in pink or blue.

And, quite honestly, that’s a perspective worth understanding—even if you still think giant confetti balloons are the coolest thing ever.