Last night, my friends and I had a Big Bang Theory marathon. We have been doing this since last week and will be doing this . There was this episode when Sheldon received a Christmas gift from Plenny. In that episode, Sheldon felt obliged to give Plenny a gift of equal value. Everyone was laughing until I realized, I too have the exact feeling when friends give me gifts. I remember, there was one time a good friend of mine gave me an expensive gift certificate for my 23rd birthday. Instead of the typical “wow thank you!”, I said, “Why?! How much is this? I could not take this”. Only after much debate with her did I take her gift yet I did not feel happy right away. The next day after that I saw the GC again and only then did I felt happy and excited because of the gift. I immediately called her up and said “thank you” with all my heart.
As I may have seem very harsh on my friend, please don’t get me wrong. During those times, I knew she was having trouble with her finances and I really hated to be an additional burden just because of my birthday. It was not the gift I did not like, but the idea that she sacrificed her budget just to get me that gift. Engraved gifts would have been much better. That way I will not be guilty of ruining her budget. In the end, I knew I was wrong for me to feel that way. I must have let her enjoy seeing me happy with the gift. I know better now. As for Sheldon… hehe, just watch the episode. 