What is the correct response when receiving a gift?

Post Reply New Topic

I really really hate getting gifts. I get this awkward icky feeling on the inside - like the reaction most people have from nails being scratched down a blackboard.

(This is the internal response I have to emotions\situations where I don't have a pre-programmed natural response. eg. someone falls over, spills coffee on themself, someone is crying etc)


So I have to participate in a Kris Kringle tomorrow and will get a gift in front of about 20-30 people. How am I supposed to react? I suppose I should force a smile and thanks, but its an anonymous gift.

I would rather go hide somewhere than deal with this - and I'm an adult, not a 5 year old child. I Feel like such a reject.

Indeed, I dislike getting presents. I somehow get the feeling that I didn't do anything to deserve getting something for free, and while I do not feel obligated to return the favor, I still feel uncomfortable. I think it is connected to the fact that I hate surprises in general.

If it is from an anonymous person then you should focus on the gift and try to find something nice to say about the gift. The main thing is act happy.

I'm starting to realize that it's okay to not like this sort of thing. However, speaking for myself, there is a requirement to participate in order to have the sort of life I would like. The strategy you are using is one I'm going to try. i.e.-Figure out some basic reactions or things to say before entering the situation. It seems disingenuous to prepare reactions to a social situation beforehand, but the reactions are still mine.

First of all, if you're not the first one to receive a gift, watch how other people react and try to copy them. That's my go-to advice for these types of things.

More specifically, assuming the person who bought the gift will be there but you won't know who it is, they'll be watching you to see if their attempt at buying you something was successful. As another poster said, the polite thing to do is act like you like the gift, even if you don't. Smile, try to look pleased about it. Normally these situations don't last more than a few seconds, so if you can fake it for that long you're in the clear!

Good luck!

AWW THAAAANKS in a baby voice.

I wrote a letter to my family this year - explaining that I don't enjoy receiving a sweater when I could use ten dollars that was used to purchase the sweater on something else. I also sent them links to websites with lots of information on AS.

Certainly don't do what I do...

Have a completely apathetic face all through unwrapping and just toss all your gifts into a messy pile as if you just got the worst gift ever...

"Oh cool!" even if you don't like it.

_________________
I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com

Well to be honest, you don't have to like the gift, whatever it is, and it's still socially acceptable. But know that someone went out and bought it with the hopes of contributing to the event.

Actually...you could give your gift away to someone else! Why take a gift that's unwanted when you can give it to someone else? I'm sure they'll appreciate you for it too, because it's an act of generosity.

i dislike that too. but not for that reason as much as because i have no idea how to reciprocate a lot of times. i have no idea what people want for gifts. i dunno if that's from AS, or what.. but usually unless i've known the person for a long time, i have no idea what to get them. i get the feeling that you just do the same thing they did to you... which is to give something small and tacky (the thought that counts, etc). but i can't stand doing that. i have kind of an oversensitivity to genuineness, even though i suppose it's silly. i mean, i know you're only fulfilling a social obligation here. it's not about the gift itself or whether or not the person likes it.. it's about showing that appreciation towards the person. i didn't forget you! i got you a gift! you're officially socially recognized by me now! yeah. i get all that LOGICALLY, but it will never click with me emotionally. so i hate gift giving most of the time. don't get me wrong, i love giving gifts when i know the person will like the actual gift. but otherwise, i hate it.
sorry if i hijacked your thread. it just got me thinking.