What is a Bachelor Party?

Bachelor parties aren't really parties, anymore. In 1984, Tom Hanks made bachelor parties infamous with his starring role as Rick Gassko. Hanks' cohorts plan the ultimate bachelor party for their betrothed friend. The night includes a bus, lots of booze, a hotel room and, of course, women.

This comedic adventure unfolds with problems from the beginning. The movie reaches its peak in action when Hanks' fiancé, Tawny Kitaen, arrives at the scene. The party is eventually forgotten, Hanks eventually forgiven, and the wedding happens as planned.

Bachelor parties today, however, tend to last more than just a few hours and the trouble that follows can be much worse.

MTV has made bachelor parties famous in pop culture. A few years ago, the cable station followed some young men from the eastern seaboard to Las Vegas for a weekend bachelor party. The footage was shot nonstop and edited for an hour special to air later.

The mischief and mayhem that ensued was thrilling. The guys were constantly out on the town in the city that never sleeps. Alcohol, as you may have guessed, played a large role in the weekend. Clubs of all types were visited over the course of the weekend.

More recently, MTV taped Bam Margera, of Jackass fame, and what seemed like a million of his closest friends on his weekend bachelor party trip to terrorize Las Vegas. I'm not sure who's brilliant idea this was; "Lets give guys that will do "anything" to be on TV a budget to go to Las Vegas and do this "anything" there when the already have a reason to be stupid. I just hope the network called ahead to notify the authorities.

Mostly, bachelor parties get a bad reputation. Guys want to celebrate their buddy's special occasion. They also want a reason to feel like they are 21 or 22 again. Guys want to remove themselves from the monotony, not monogamy, of their daily lives for a day or night or maybe even a weekend.

Contrary to what seems to be popular belief, guys aren't stupid enough to do something to jeopardize their relationship on what night of idiocy. And, the guys that are, probably aren't engaged.

Guys also don't have to go out for a crazy night on the town to celebrate a bachelor party either.

Fishing trips, golf outings or trips, or weekend trips to see a local sports team travel are great ideas for bachelor party getaways. They are probably also, much less stressful. No worrying if John will make it back to the limo or if Tim is going to start a fight.

Plus, if you go fishing or golfing, who says you have to be up at 7:00 am to do so. Plan and call ahead. Get late tee-times or charter afternoon/evening cruises. This way you can still stay up late discussing the shot of the day, catch of the day, or the one that got away and not worry about getting up. Not to mention, when your buddy leaves the pictures from Your bachelor party on the table, you won't have to worry about your fiancé finding anything except your trophy.