Is it normal i don’t really want to pitch in for my supervisors christmas gift?

He’s a great guy, don’t get me wrong, but we have secret Santa, another coworker just had his part for Birthday we went to.

And we do t get much in return. We do some stupid team-building indoor golf game. Which is an hour drive from work. I feel like it’s a total waste.

Plus most of our office is college grads who are underpaid for their position.

Am I a dick for trying to get out of this?

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Based on 8 votes
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Comments ( 14 )
  • NormalAdventure

    If it feels that badly to you then don't participate, don't go to the golf thing, and make your statement. You are not a dick for being true to yourself. Take a sick day instead. Doing crap we don't want to do, especially when it feels that bad isn't worth it. Not to me anyway. I would personally take the consequences and let people think what they want. I don't do things I don't want to do and stick to instinct and principles. Not everyone will agree, but stuff like that is bad for your health if it really bothers you that much.

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    • Good for you for being honest to yourself.

      I hate myself for it, but I don’t see myself saying “i can’t give $20 this year due to my finances, sorry!” But I really want to.

      While I’m happy for what Iearned from this job, I just want out their immediately. I’m not happy with it at all. I’ve been applying for jobs like crazy!

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  • jrikiorikio

    at a company that I worked for we had a force gift thing all the time but I just kept saying no and people would still try to force me to accept the gift. I even got paid a full day to go home a few hours early and get drunk

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  • NormalAdventure

    Well it still sounds unresolved, like you can't make a decision, like you are conflicted. So listen to your instinct, your nudges, and do what they tell you. I'm not a fan of lying or making an excuse. $20 sounds like an amount you can afford so don't lie, but if it goes against every grain of your soul, it will haunt you, make you feel ill, and if you do it anyway, it will cost you more than $20 worth. If on the other hand, just paying the $20, driving an hour to play golf, and sucking it up seems like it's the path of least damage and least resistance, then choose that one. I've been in this situation many times. I have chosen to succumb to many of them against my gut feeling. Now that I have a pretty clear idea about how it makes me feel afterwards, I won't do it anymore. It's up to you. Maybe you need to figure out what feels good to you and make the adjustments based on experience. Come back later and tell us what you did, how you felt, and how it went.

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  • RoseIsabella

    I guess it just depends on the person. What kinda work do you do?

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    • Well, I’m underpaid by 50% and am currently looking for a new job. The last thing I desire to spend money is people I work with.

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      • RoseIsabella

        That's certainly understandable, what kinda work do you do? What was your major in college?

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        • Urban studies.

          I manage the county’s land bank, which is responsible for renovating homes.

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          • RoseIsabella

            Wow! I've never even heard if that.

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  • Aethylfritha

    Its normal for feeling resentful about forced gift giving.
    However in the big picture its probably easier to just pitch in a small amount and say its " all you can afford" at the moment. I get the idea but nobody likes a perceived cheapskate.

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    • I honestly wouldn’t if we got a better gift in return. I mean, why have us go to some stupid indoor golf that’s more than an hour drive away? Yes it’s a “fun” paid day off, but we’re wasting money - are we not?

      I sound petty, but I think it’s justified.

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      • Aethylfritha

        I agree you guys got a pretty crappy " gift" in return.

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        • A few years ago we all got Amazon cards for $25, and that gift is much more desired.

          I’m also pissy that the person who gave him the idea isn’t going to show up again because she has two young kids 🙄

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          • Aethylfritha

            Bleh. Make them all some Christmas candy with ex lax!

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