Every moment deserves to be celebrated, and Doug, an 85-year-old from Philadelphia, embodies this sentiment perfectly. His recent neighborhood party invitation went viral after his neighbor, Michelle Larosa (@meeesher on TikTok), shared their delightful interaction online. Doug’s party had one charmingly hilarious catch—it was scheduled to continue until “the cops arrive.”
Larosa first encountered Doug on her doorstep, captured through her Ring camera, cheerfully holding out a handwritten invite for his winter celebration in February. Touched by his personal visit, Larosa called him her “sweet neighbor” in the TikTok video's text overlay.
“I was still so unsure about what he was even asking or what he needed. And then he gives me this little invitation that literally looks like he used some sort of pen to make copies and hand them out to all of our neighbors,” Larosa explained in a follow-up video. Doug's genuine excitement and handwritten invites made the occasion extra special, especially considering he had walked all the way over with the assistance of a cane.
The invitation humorously stated that the event would last until the police arrived. “Until the cops arrive! He's literally 85,” Larosa exclaimed in amused shock. Reading further, she noted, “It says food and drinks will be there. Only bring a smile; a recipe to his email and he gave his phone number.” Appreciating Doug’s heartwarming effort, she added, “I love old people. This is the sweetest thing ever.”
An elderly man walks down an icy roadCanva
Viewers enthusiastically responded to Larosa's viral video, which quickly amassed nearly 580k views. User @lndsyspnc commented, “Please go or I'll cry about it for months,” prompting Larosa’s reassuring reply, “We’re going.” Another TikToker, @jess4merriman, noted, “The fact that he was hand-delivering all of them means that the entire neighborhood better be showing up.”
Adding emotional depth, user @dari0pinto shared in Spanish (translated), “My 80-year-old father passed away on November 24, and his 81st birthday was on February 15. I would also like to attend that party.”
An elderly man grilling at a partyCanva
Another commenter, @canadianmomma88, said, “I found you from Instagram. There’s a whole bunch of people over there, asking for his PO Box or something to mail cards to them. This touched my heart. I hope you guys have the best time.”
In a subsequent video, Larosa talked about her neighborhood being welcoming and friendly. She remembered answering the door to find her elderly “sweetheart” neighbor, who had made his way across the street using a cane.
Doug’s uplifting and humorous gesture clearly resonated deeply online, transforming his neighborhood invitation into a viral moment cherished by thousands.
Follow Michelle Larosa (@meeesher) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.
This article originally appeared earlier this year.
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21 products that are gaslighting us into thinking they’re essential when they’re not
Some things in life are actually necessary—clean water, decent healthcare, basic human decency. But then there are the things that feel like they’re gaslighting us. The things we’re told we can’t live without, even though we survived just fine before they existed. Things like "smart" fridges, lawn fertilizer services, and yes—whole body deodorant.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified.
Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential—when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.
1. Whole body deodorant
"Take a shower," said Shannon H.
“How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫” added Karen R.
Others noted it may help people with medical conditions—but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.
2. Health insurance
It topped the list. Erica L. explained: “My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery—Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it’s financially effective to treat you.”
Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many—but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.
3. The wedding industry
Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.
JoElla B. put it plainly: “We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one.”
Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.
4. Bottled water
Carole D. said: “Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!”
While bottled water has value in emergencies, it’s often just filtered tap water—sold for profit in plastic.
5. Baby product overload
“Most baby products,” wrote Kelli O. “They really aren’t as needy and complicated as companies want us to think.”
6. Fabric softener
“It’s bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary,” said Gail H.
Some experts agree—many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.
7. Smart appliances
“Adding ‘phone controls’ to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to,” wrote Sherry S.
When your fridge needs a software update, something’s gone off the rails.
8. Makeup and anti-aging products
“Anything anti-aging,” said Melissa T., “Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become.”
Others questioned products designed to “fix” eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.
April S. added, “Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be ‘beautiful’ and therefore ‘loved.’”
9. Cosmetic surgery
Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.
10. Ticketmaster and “convenience fees”
“Let’s go back to waiting in line at a record store,” wrote Nicole C.
Zaida B. added: “Convenience fee for online purchases—then charging $10 more at the actual event.”
11. Engagement rings
James P. didn’t mince words: “Engagement rings.”
The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.
12. Lawn chemicals and services
“Plant native grasses and you don’t have the pests or need for constant watering,” wrote Jamie B.
Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.
13. AI and generative tech
“This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience,” said Teresa L.
Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.
14. Funeral services
Amy W. shared: “My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, ‘I won’t care, I’m dead.’”
Of course, some families find comfort in tradition—but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.
15. Rinse and repeat
Amy D. nailed it: “It’s just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all.”
16. Credit Card Surcharges
Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: “That is the cost of doing business and shouldn’t be the burden of the purchaser.”
Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.
17. Constant phone upgrades
“Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year,” said Steph S.
Diana H. added, “Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently.”
Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.
18. Vitamins and supplements
“If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn’t need food. Nor could I afford it,” said Tausha L.
19. Fake pockets on women’s pants
Jessica W. said, “I have to buy men’s pants for work because women’s pants would just get torn up too fast!”
Form over function, and then they charge more for it.
20. Disposable everything
“The ‘convenience’ of disposable everything,” said Rick R.
It’s killing the planet—and draining wallets.
21. Tipping
“I’m sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” wrote Susan V.
Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.
The bigger picture
People aren’t saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?
And more importantly—who pays?
This article originally appeared earlier this year.