The Unwanted Gift Dilemma

The Unwanted Gift Dilemma

Sometimes a well-meaning person gives an unwanted gift…

 

The cleaner at work decided that the post table by the entrance door needed brightening up and had often remarked on the dullness of the area in question.

 

After she went the other day, she left something for us on the post table. We were then faced with the dilemma of the unwanted gift. In this case, a small pot of artificial purple flowers.

 

Artificial plants and flowers have come a long way in terms of realism, this one however seems to be a rather dusty and ragged early generation.

 

It’s not that the gesture isn’t appreciated, and she’s right; the post table was rather soulless, but we’re all in agreement that the newly arrived phony floral display is, is… well we just don’t like it.

 

We have considered giving it back to her, but felt that would be ungracious and insulting.

 

We have considered disposing of it and telling lies: “It caught fire.”; “We’ve lost it.”; “It broke.”; “A visitor fell in love with it and we felt she should have it.” – All highly unlikely.

 

So we have finally decided to keep it out of sight in the stationery cupboard and set an alarm the nights before her visits to remind us to put it out on the post table.

 

This strategy is not without risk of course. I visited a neighbour once and passed comment on her extensive collection of owl ornaments. “I don’t like them. They give me the heebie jeebies and take a whole morning to clean.” She said “It all started thirty years ago with the first one and then everyone thought I liked them - and it got out of hand as you can see. They even call me ‘The Owl Lady’ – I don’t like that either.”

 

What should be done about unwanted gifts? Ms Post, author of Emily Post’s Etiquette advises: "First say thank you. There's got to be something you like about it. Say, "What a lovely shade of blue." "How unique!" Say it sincerely. You must also write a handwritten thank you note."

 

So, as there doesn’t seem to be a complete and elegant solution to the problem, I shall now pen the letter of thanks. Hmm, something positive…

 

It was getting dark and so I used a lighter to admire the fine workmanship – tragically it caught fire.