- Joined
- Apr 20, 2018
- Messages
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- Washington, D.C.
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Dear Gift Rejecter,
We're saddened to learn you and your clan will remain country bumpkins, uncultured and fearful of the unaccustomed. We can only hope that you'll find hamburgers and coleslaw satisfying throughout your mundane existence.
Yours truly,
The other Side of the Tracks
??? What?
People are trying to help you. To bring a little culture to your life. To help you experience some of the finer things in life. But no. "Only hamburgers and fries for this family!"
Low class x 2.
Oh. Okay.
I'm sure "Aunt Abby" wouldn't have such thoughts, or at least mine wouldn't.
That wasn't the theme I was "going for" when I offered the sample "it's the thought that counts" letter, but I suppose some folks may feel that way about individuals who reject heartfelt magnanimity.
I think your letter is low class for several reasons.
1. Returning the gift. Just suck it up. Let them think they did something nice. Is that too much for you?
2. Thank god we had my epipen because I'm a delicate flower and you almost killed me! Snowflake.
3. My kids don't like escargot. Tastes are acquired. You appear to think it's appropriate that children choose their own.
4. Your children are dictating your family's diet/activities. Who runs your house?
For these, and other more subtle reasons, I find your self absorbed, inconsiderate, low class rejection letter nothing more than you trying to play the Big Man and showing just how small you can be.
.02
For as long as Christmas gifts have been given, people have received things they didn't particularly like. Back in my day, we dealt with that by simply returning the item to the store from which it came and picking something else...And, frankly, that's still what I and the rest of my family do with gifts of any sort, not just Christmas, that we don't like, haven't use for, or whatever. We just tell the person that we don't want what they gave us.....
Dear Aunt Abby,
I hope this letter finds you and Uncle Chip well.
Thank you for the escargot forks. They're beautiful and are just our style. Babs and I are touched by the thought and care you show us. Neither of us would have imagined you'd remember Babs and I enjoy cooking and entertaining and that she utterly revels in having the perfect utensil for every dish.
Inspired by your gift, we took the kids to Algernon's last evening, and you know Babs ordered the snails. To our amazement, however, Hunter and Sissy wouldn't forbear even the slightest taste. I rather expected that of Hunter; he's got a selective palate, shall we say. Sissy, however, took us aback for as much she loves garlic, we thought she'd cotton well to escargot.
The real shocker, though, wasn't the kids' reaction, but rather our learning unceremoniously my seafood allergy has morphed to include land mollusks. Thank God, Babs had my epipen in her bag, and after a while I was fine, but it gave us quite a scare at the outset of my attack.
I went to see Clark the next day and it turns out I'm so allergic I daren't even touch them, lest I break out. But enough of my travail. I'll just look at the bright side -- I'll no longer have to worry about whether the chef knows how to properly cook snails. One less burden I need bear, hugh. LOL
As you may imagine, after discovering I can't eat snails, and the kids won't, it seems we haven't much use now for escargot forks. Babs and I feel dreadful having to tell you, especially after the trouble you went through to get them. Alas, we're going to have to return them. We're so sorry, but we hope you understand.
We'll be back from Cheval by the time you and Uncle Chip return form Laucala. Babs suggested we meet at the club for drinks and then you and she go shopping. She's had her eye on something at Tiffany's and she thought she'd exchange the forks for something else while she's there. She'd love your help choosing, for she's long admired your taste. If you're up for it, we'd love to have you and Uncle Chip to dinner and the theater afterwards. Maybe we can even play a few rubbers after the show?
Anyway, ta for now, Aunt Abby. Can't wait to hear about your trip. Much love to Uncle Chip.
Yours always,
Xelor and Babs
P.S.
Hunter and Sissy send their love.
Does it take a tiny bit of effort to just tell a gift giver that you just aren't into what they gave you? Sure, but it beats having them some time later ask about the item and having then to tell them you really didn't like it, thus making clear that you also hadn't the "balls" to just tell them. And believe it or not, if the person truly cares about you -- they bought you a gift, so they must care to some degree -- they'll use the information so as to make a better choice next time.
Here's my sample...
I don't need a special fork for eating snails, but I appreciate the thought. I exchanged your gift for a really nice set of wine glasses...which will undoubtedly see much more use. Thanks, and merry happy Christmas b day.
I found this snail fork online for .44 cents, not too bad. Of course a person can spend $3 each for quality forks. It's the kind of fork that I'd probably use for shrimp cocktail.
I can tell from the letter that it's written by someone more cultured and more considerate than probably 99.9% of Americans. Who else would suggest 'playing a few rubbers' after the show, and who even knows what that means?
I would have just thanked them for the snail forks, put them in the back of a drawer and forget about them forever. This is why I give many people a gift that's homemade, like a box of pecan fudge or an assortment of homemade Christmas cookies. People never return those.
Off-Topic:I found this snail fork online for .44 cents, not too bad. Of course a person can spend $3 each for quality forks. It's the kind of fork that I'd probably use for shrimp cocktail.
I can tell from the letter that it's written by someone more cultured and more considerate than probably 99.9% of Americans. Who else would suggest 'playing a few rubbers' after the show, and who even knows what that means?
I would have just thanked them for the snail forks, put them in the back of a drawer and forget about them forever. This is why I give many people a gift that's homemade, like a box of pecan fudge or an assortment of homemade Christmas cookies. People never return those.
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