DEMANDING a thank you for a gift

[aviator41]

Scenario: My father sends a gift - birthday, Christmas, whatever. . . large or small doesn't matter.

The day before the gift arrives, he shoots the recipient a text telling them that the gift will be arriving the following day and that he expects a thank you call.

It's been happening for years now, but to me it's rude. It lessens the worth of the thank you because you never get the chance to thank him on your own accord. It's almost like he has to control the process.

What do you all think? Is it okay to demand, expect or "require" a thank you for a gift given - and then inform the recipient as such?

The question isn't about whether you not the recipient should express gratefulness (of course they should!), it's about whether the giver of the gift has the right to, pretty much, demand a thank you and in a way tag an obligation onto the gift, essentially removing the ability of the recipient to thank them on their own accord.

 

[saddlebum]

I would return the gift and not call at all

 

[COZICAN]

Maybe he has CDO (like OCD but in alphabetical order as it should be) and just wants to be sure it arrives?

Coz

 

[aviator41]

Maybe he has CDO (like OCD but in alphabetical order as it should be) and just wants to be sure it arrives?

Coz

He can do that with the tracking number

 

[Coded-Dude]

Yes, the simple answer is to not accept the gift. Or...play the game with him. Get the gift and hang on to it for several weeks before opening it. He can call and ***** about not getting a thank you and all you have to say is "I haven't opened it yet." When he gives up on asking, then you can open it and give thanks or return it with a "thanks but no thanks."

 

[Glocktogo]

Classic passive-agressive behavior. Don't buy into it.

 

[120 Acres]

If its your father, you should be calling for a thank you without him telling you to do so. Have neglected to do this in the past?

You should feel bad. Poor old man sitting alone, looking out the window thinking "How can I get my only son to give me a call?"

 

[EFsDad]

I'd call him a week before (insert reason the gifts coming) and say thanks for thinking of me on (insert reason the gifts coming) and head him off at the pass.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

I don't think there's enough information given for a complete scenario roll-out here... Just looks like Person B is has a little repressed butthurt, and is in search for internet validation...

 

[aviator41]

If its your father, you should be calling for a thank you without him telling you to do so. Have neglected to do this in the past?

You should feel bad. Poor old man sitting alone, looking out the window thinking "How can I get my only son to give me a call?"

I am confident in saying that no, this has not happened.