--- Wojtek responding to Yoshie wrote:
> That is the idea behind "Western," as you call, it gift giving - or
> least it
> was before it was hijacked by marketers and turned into its
> anti-thesis:
> mindless commercial consumption frenzy.
Exactly. The frenzy turns gift-giving into an obligation that is often abhorred and resented, not a unique expression of respect, love or caring, hence ridiculous gifts such as the "S'Mores Maker" (a lazy susan with a fondue pot on it) that I received from a Consumer Queen family member last year. No doubt I'll get a "Hot Wings Machine!" this year. Blech.
And in the case of office politics, the gift frenzy can create a sense of the obligatory trickle down to the lowly masses from the boss man with the free turkey, gift card or cheap bottle of Andre Cold Duck.
But I've seen more people get prepaid Visa/MC/AMEX gift cards/checks from friends, bosses and companies this year than in any year's past, and the general comment is that the recipient can use the card to buy whatever they want, or more specifically, whatever they need (groceries, repairs, living expenses) without anyone having to know about it. There are more than a few in the middle class living from paycheck to paycheck, but it's still not something people want to acknowledge publicly.
- Deborah