Venting abounds

[seabird78]

I fully understand what it's like to get a Christmas present you're not totally crazy about. But was it really necessary for my mom to call me up and tell me that the presents I got my niece were inappropriate (mind you, I got her the first and fifth items listed here: http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=18), that she (the niece) doesn't like either of them, and that I need to take them back and get her "a nice toy" instead?

Yeah, she claims that the book (which I had personalized with an autograph and drawing from Andy Runton) is too advanced for the niece, (never mind the fact that the story is told entirely in pictures and symbols,) and that she doesn't like "comic books." Need I mention that my nephew, who I also got a stuftie and a different Owly book, had no problem with either of these gifts, and he's a full 18 months younger than the niece?

I know I can't expect everyone to share my indie sensibilities, but WTF! When I was that age, I would have never gotten away with trying to tell people what kind of gifts to give me after the fact (mind you, I don't know for certain that the niece did this, the request for a new present may have come exclusively from my mom). I would have been forced to grin and bear it and sign a thank you card to boot!

Guess this is my reminder of why I must forever keep my mom Mom at an arm's length. Fuck that, triple arms!

Comments

Wow. Just... wow.

[acdntlpoet.livejournal.com]

In my day, if I didn't like a present, I would have been forced to write a thank you note to the giver but then -allowed- to exchange it for something else. Barring the possibility of exchange, it would have been cast to the corner of my closet or given to charity. My mother would NEVER have allowed me to say anything, but rather, would have made a point next year to tell my aunts (the one was notoriously BAD at gift-choices) what my particular tastes were and help out with a few suggestions...

As a child (and subsequently now as an adult) I had/have ZERO sense of entitlement when it comes to gifts. By the very nature of gift giving, you take what you receive, and you do so graciously. Period.

Re: Wow. Just... wow.

[plumerai.livejournal.com]

This is what my parents would have done. Which is why we're now AWESOME.

Re: Wow. Just... wow.

[seabird78.livejournal.com]

Well said. My thoughts exactly.

[fuzzilla.livejournal.com]

>By the very nature of gift giving, you take what you receive, and you do so graciously. Period.<

Exactly.

Oh wow, was that fucking rude!

[editrix26.livejournal.com]

Owly is perfect for kids! Also, this sounds like a thing from your mom. I remember once getting upset when I was 16 and my aunt bought me a book for 12-year-olds because her daughter liked it...but I think your mom went way too far on this.

[plumerai.livejournal.com]

I am amaz'd and know not what to say. That's rude. Even if your niece was whining about it, what adult panders to that?

[ladysankofa.livejournal.com]

If it was the niece who was complaining, I'd stop buying gifts for her. This "I-must-get-something-for-all-these-people-on-my-list" stuff is bullshit (I'm not saying that's what you do, girlfriend--just that we often feel obligated to do the gifting thing, rather than just wanting to do it, ya know?).

However, if it was just your mother's take on it, I'd just stop talking to her on the phone. She was way out of line, especially to suggest you need to take them back and get a "nice toy" instead. Hey, if she wants to get a "nice toy" let HER do it.

Fuck this christmas shit anyway...

(sorry...it just makes me angry. very angry)

[seabird78.livejournal.com]

Did I ever tell you I love you? Cause I do.

:)