I hate Christmas

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

You see, I picked The Waterboy because it was an actual gift I received. I had previously explicitly told the giver (who is an Adam Sandler fan) that I hate Adam Sandler. I don't find him funny. I didn't find him funny in Saturday Night Live, and didn't find him funny in any of the snippets of his movies that I have seen. This explanation came in other context (when we are deciding what movies to watch when we get together, he always suggests some Adam Sandler movie, and I point out, again, that I don't like Adam Sandler and never did). But yet, they give me this as a gift. How would someone putting any amount of thought into the gift every think that giving this to me would be something I would want?

HAH! You really don't get it, do you? Man.

OK, let me explain it.

Your friend actually did put some thought into your gift. He chose one of more highly rated Adam Sandler movies, and purchased for you in hopes that you might watch it and enjoy it, or at least give you some common ground to understand him a bit.

It's called: "Sharing a bit of your life with someone."

You really are clueless, aren't you?

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

A) They didn't remember or B) they think of you as much as we do.

...or C) they think that maybe if you watched this particular movie that you may like it (and since they paid for it, you are out nothing)...

EDIT: Obviously my post comes in a bit late with this thought...I must brush up on my reply-fu

 

[Storm Raven]

1. They realize that you want these recreational gifts, but think that the pen is more practical.

There is nothing "practical" about a pen that costs more than a hundred dollars.

2. They realize that you have a list, but want to give you something from their heart, not yours.

I don't want what they think I should want. If they want to give me something from their heart, they should get me something I actually want.

3. They forgot...

Unlikely. They asked my wife for suggestions within the last two weeks, which she provided (I give my wife suggestions every year for her to pass on if people ask her).

 

[diaglo]

How many of them on criminal rap sheets?

what you didn't like the shiv i gave you last year?

i made it myself. i know i didn't gift wrap it. but still it was given with you in mind. i meant it for.. i mean from the heart.

p.s. can i have it back when you get out of the sick ward? i need to finish the job.

 

[Kanegrundar]

Two years in Tanzania, two years in Zaire (when Mobutu was still alive), three years in Nigeria (two coups during my time there, both bloodless), and two years in Togo (one attempted coup, not bloodless). The fact that there are destitute people out there has no bearing on what my family members can afford, or what kind of lifestyle we lead.

Um...empathy maybe?

 

[Storm Raven]

HAH! You really don't get it, do you? Man.

OK, let me explain it.

Your friend actually did put some thought into your gift. He chose one of more highly rated Adam Sandler movies, and purchased for you in hopes that you might watch it and enjoy it, or at least give you some common ground to understand him a bit.

It's called: "Sharing a bit of your life with someone."

No. It is called being rude. You see, he chose a gift he would want to get, and assumed that since he would like it I should. I have seen chunks of The Waterboy and found it unfunny. He knows this. He also knows what I actually like, and ignored that in favor of a gift that would be great for him. That's the rude part. He got a gift for himself, disguised as a gift for me.

I returned the movie, unopened and exchanged it for something I actually wanted.

 

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

Two years in Tanzania, two years in Zaire (when Mobutu was still alive), three years in Nigeria (two coups during my time there, both bloodless), and two years in Togo (one attempted coup, not bloodless). The fact that there are destitute people out there has no bearing on what my family members can afford, or what kind of lifestyle we lead.

And you took nothing back with you, did you?

Sadly, you missed out on something that those people have, and that's an appreciation for gifts, a sense of wonder at holidays, and appreciation for thoughtfullness.

Notice my emphasis.

That seems to be your point, this whole time.

They have money, they should get me what I want.

You can say what you want about your time in Africa, but if you can't even understand basic gratitude, then you're kind of... well... Poor.

 

[PowerWordDumb]

There is nothing "practical" about a pen that costs more than a hundred dollars.

Not even if it sits impressively upon your desk, and creates a good impression on potential clients who see your uber pen and think "Wow, he must be super successful to be able to afford an expensive pen like that - I ought to hire him!"?

No, of course not. Presenting an image to potential clients isn't valuable at all.

 

[billd91]

HAH! You really don't get it, do you? Man.

OK, let me explain it.

Your friend actually did put some thought into your gift. He chose one of more highly rated Adam Sandler movies, and purchased for you in hopes that you might watch it and enjoy it, or at least give you some common ground to understand him a bit.

It's called: "Sharing a bit of your life with someone."

You really are clueless, aren't you?

Or he's doing it to needle SR and his unyielding ways. Again, that takes thought too. It means he loves you enough to drive you crazy.

Reminds me of how two firends of mine keep passing an ancient box of Dots candies back and forth from birthday to birthday. Neither of them wants it, they just do it to drive the other one nuts.

 

[Storm Raven]

If I received an email like that from someone I spent my time and money on, I'd make a point of finding the most useless gift I could, and send it to them. "What, you didn't want a previously viewed copy of dumb and dumberer?, Cool, next year I'll go with the moose call, I had picked out first."

And I'd just throw your gifts in the trash. If you are going to get me crap, expect it to be treated like crap.