I used a voucher to buy a gift for my dad. I made sure to point out to him that I hadn’t paid anything for it because I knew he would appreciate that fact.
@AnnaB I’m with your mother on this one. I love gifts, and I adore a great deal. Getting a gift from someone who got it at a price? It’s like the perfect storm!
For me it depends on whether the person actively or passively has me believe they spent more money on the gift. We all love a bargain, so pretending you spent more is kind of scuzzy in my books.
A couple of years ago I won a pair of very expensive headphones (the brand-name ones with the big “b” on the side) as a door prize for an event I attended. My daughter was wanting some headphones for Christmas (not necessarily that brand, but some good ones). When she got them, she said “I know you, and there’s no way you paid full price for these.” I did tell her I got them at a very good price, but never have told her exactly what that good price was.
It’s not that I’m an etiquette nerd or anything, it’s just a couple of podcasts that I listen to have etiquette sections. (The Dinner Party Download being my favorite.)
And I’ve come to the conclusion that we collectively are one big passive-aggressive ball of insecurity.
Way too much worrying about other’s intentions without the cajones to simply ask upfront questions.
Surprised we get any work done with the 8 hours a week of therapy and 24 hour fetal position sessions.
@f00l, @MehnofLaMehncha - Each week Dinner Party Download has a different guest answer listener’s etiquette/social interaction questions. It’s a portion of each episode, on KUOW they air it Saturdays. Some examples.
Depends on the setting. Most situations I couldn’t care less if they got a deal on it.
However if it’s a situation where there is a gift exchange with a set amount (you buy someone $50 worth a gifts in an exchange) I take that as how much you pay for it, not the MSRP. So if you get a $50 item for $20 bucks, well buddy you have $30 left to spend. Thanks for being a thrifty shopper, now fulfill your obligation.
@MrMark Being hyper competitive by nature, I see those as a direct challenge to my smart shopping skills. To me it is a contest to see who can get the greatest gift for the allotted amount. I’ve had people accuse me of exceeding the limit several times, which I take as a compliment.
I once bought my mom a purse. She loved it and was crowing about it, and told me she hoped I didn’t pay too much for it. I said, nope, three bucks at a flea market. She was ten times happier with it then. She loves getting a bargain almost more than the thing you get the bargain on!
I don’t really get “gifts”. I mean, I get the concept, I just don’t have the application of it in my life.
I used a voucher to buy a gift for my dad. I made sure to point out to him that I hadn’t paid anything for it because I knew he would appreciate that fact.
My mother appreciates a good deal and would love knowing I got a gift for her that she likes at a bargain price.
@AnnaB I’m with your mother on this one. I love gifts, and I adore a great deal. Getting a gift from someone who got it at a price? It’s like the perfect storm!
@ruouttaurmind Right?
“Cool! They must be planning to take me to dinner with the money saved!”
Most of us know it’s not about the money, right?
The only way I’d be (somewhat) upset is if they lied or tried to fake it.
What does trying to fake it look like?
(No harry/sally gifs, please)
@MehnofLaMehncha Buying it at Dollar Tree and putting it in a Neiman Marcus box.
For me it depends on whether the person actively or passively has me believe they spent more money on the gift. We all love a bargain, so pretending you spent more is kind of scuzzy in my books.
A couple of years ago I won a pair of very expensive headphones (the brand-name ones with the big “b” on the side) as a door prize for an event I attended. My daughter was wanting some headphones for Christmas (not necessarily that brand, but some good ones). When she got them, she said “I know you, and there’s no way you paid full price for these.” I did tell her I got them at a very good price, but never have told her exactly what that good price was.
It’s not that I’m an etiquette nerd or anything, it’s just a couple of podcasts that I listen to have etiquette sections. (The Dinner Party Download being my favorite.)
And I’ve come to the conclusion that we collectively are one big passive-aggressive ball of insecurity.
Way too much worrying about other’s intentions without the cajones to simply ask upfront questions.
Surprised we get any work done with the 8 hours a week of therapy and 24 hour fetal position sessions.
@MehnofLaMehncha
What are the best podcasts on etiquette? Or is it that some episodes are on that, or a section of each episode?
@MehnofLaMehncha Etiquette… podcasts?
@f00l, @MehnofLaMehncha - Each week Dinner Party Download has a different guest answer listener’s etiquette/social interaction questions. It’s a portion of each episode, on KUOW they air it Saturdays.
Some examples.
Depends on the setting. Most situations I couldn’t care less if they got a deal on it.
However if it’s a situation where there is a gift exchange with a set amount (you buy someone $50 worth a gifts in an exchange) I take that as how much you pay for it, not the MSRP. So if you get a $50 item for $20 bucks, well buddy you have $30 left to spend. Thanks for being a thrifty shopper, now fulfill your obligation.
@MrMark Being hyper competitive by nature, I see those as a direct challenge to my smart shopping skills. To me it is a contest to see who can get the greatest gift for the allotted amount. I’ve had people accuse me of exceeding the limit several times, which I take as a compliment.
I picked option C, but B, C and D apply almost equally.
I once bought my mom a purse. She loved it and was crowing about it, and told me she hoped I didn’t pay too much for it. I said, nope, three bucks at a flea market. She was ten times happier with it then. She loves getting a bargain almost more than the thing you get the bargain on!