- Joined
- Apr 20, 2018
- Messages
- 10,257
- Reaction score
- 4,161
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Gender
- Undisclosed
- Political Leaning
- Undisclosed
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.
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.
Last edited: