To give or not to give

We know when we give, we are not to expect anything in return. We also know it's not the gift that counts but the thought that counts.

So how is one expected to react when given a two dollar gift for one's birthday, the so-called gift looking like it has until that fateful day been collecting dust in the store room of the so-called donor? Is one expected to feel grateful for having being remembered? Or is one justified for feeling just a wee bit insulted for having being taken for a junk collector?

The above issue was faced by a close friend recently. She received from another friend what we would with consensus called a "cheap" gift for her birthday. After recovering from her initial shock, disappointment followed by guilt (for not being grateful) set in. So she came to me with her little dilemma; whether what the other person did was ok or not ok.

If you ask me, I would lean in favour of the "not to give" than "to give" if the latter option is going to result in the giving of an indecent gift. So the next question pose is what is the test of decency. Answer - the reasonable man test of course; what an ordinary man in the street would think of under the circumstances.

In short, giving an indecent gift to someone to me is clearly unacceptable social etiquette!