FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » Social Conundrum

   
Author Topic: Social Conundrum
Tristan
Member
Member # 1670

 - posted      Profile for Tristan   Email Tristan         Edit/Delete Post 
Relevant facts:

1. Girl has invited me to birthday party.

2. Settings. A restaurant, around a dozen other attendants.

3. Relation. I like girl quite a lot which I believe she knows (although she's probably not aware of the exact extent of my feelings). Girl has boyfriend and is not interested in me romantically.

4. Girl said "bring no present"; is happy by me "just showing up".

Questions:

Do I bring a present anyway, and, if yes, what kind would be appropriate?

Input appreciated.

Posts: 896 | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Damien
Member
Member # 5611

 - posted      Profile for Damien   Email Damien         Edit/Delete Post 
I'd say bring a present anyhow. I don't know, exactly, what you should get her. What kinds of things is she into?
Posts: 677 | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
msquared
Member
Member # 4484

 - posted      Profile for msquared   Email msquared         Edit/Delete Post 
If you do bring a present make it small and give it to her in private. Do not make a big deal over it. As you have said she is attached and not looking. Buying something showy and giving it to her in public would emberas her and others there.

msquared

Posts: 1907 | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
ClaudiaTherese
Member
Member # 923

 - posted      Profile for ClaudiaTherese           Edit/Delete Post 
Classiest way to handle this that I can think of:

No gift per se, but do bring a birthday card. Include in it a note that you've made a donation (don't specify amount) in her name to:

Humane Society (if she likes animals)
Amnesty International (if she's a human rights activist)
RIF (if she's into books and kids)
etc

She may not open cards. If she does, you can just say you wanted to respect her wishes about no gifts, but you also wanted to honor the occasion.

[ September 10, 2003, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Tristan
Member
Member # 1670

 - posted      Profile for Tristan   Email Tristan         Edit/Delete Post 
Hmm, I'm leaning towards bringing something, and msquared's advice is sensible. ClaudiaTherese, your way may be classy, but since we are both poor students I would feel as if I actually made a bigger deal out of it if I spent money on something that's not her than if I gave it to her directly (which would be embarrassing, probably for both of us).

Thanks [Smile] .

[ September 10, 2003, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Tristan ]

Posts: 896 | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Noemon
Member
Member # 1115

 - posted      Profile for Noemon   Email Noemon         Edit/Delete Post 
For god's sake, don't give her jewelry (or roses, or any other stereotypically romantic gift)! I'm sure that you probably wouldn't, but I remember a few years ago there was a fairly young Hatracker who did something of the sort, or was at least contemplating it.

[ September 10, 2003, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Noemon ]

Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Tristan
Member
Member # 1670

 - posted      Profile for Tristan   Email Tristan         Edit/Delete Post 
Noemon, I most assuredly did NOT contemplate anything of that kind [Razz] . Actually, I think I've found a way out. We have a friend in common who is also going. I think I'll contact him and ask if he considers bringing anything and if we perhaps could buy something together. That would solve it neatly.

[ September 10, 2003, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: Tristan ]

Posts: 896 | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Dan_raven
Member
Member # 3383

 - posted      Profile for Dan_raven   Email Dan_raven         Edit/Delete Post 
Lingiere is right out.

And don't get drunk and spend the night dissing her present bo. He'll beat your #$@#$@#.

Sounds to me that either she is showing some interest in you, or setting you up with a friend. Women love to play matchmaker.

So, do get her friend drunk, take her home, and spend all night talking about your feelings for the birthday girl and her big ugly boy friend.

Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Tristan
Member
Member # 1670

 - posted      Profile for Tristan   Email Tristan         Edit/Delete Post 
Dan, I don't think she's showing interest in me; I think she's feeling sorry for me. But the setting me up with friend is an interesting theory.
Posts: 896 | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Annie
Member
Member # 295

 - posted      Profile for Annie   Email Annie         Edit/Delete Post 
Just show up, act all witty and charming, and flirt with someone else.

I find that quite satisfying.

Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Narnia
Member
Member # 1071

 - posted      Profile for Narnia           Edit/Delete Post 
Tristan...as a girl, here's what I would tell you to do. Obviously you've spent some time around this girl cause you like her a lot. You probably know a little about her. I would bring her a gift, but a really small gift. Here's the thing though, it should be something having to do with the two of you and the time you've spent together. Something that she would 'get' and think is hilarious or great...and something that would always remind her of you and the time she's spent with you as a friend. This can even include a great birthday card with just the right wording, or a silly keychain with a saying on it. But, as a girl, I love getting gifts with thought like that put into them. I love getting gifts that remind me of a friend or a funny story every time I use/see it.

I do agree with the idea of giving it to her in private or dropping it off at her house or something. Most likely, you don't want to give it to her in front of her boyfriend for obvious reasons. If you give it to her in a way that you're not there when she opens it (which is cool)it'll be kind of fun to see what she says the next time she sees you.

Good luck. I know she'll appreciate anything you do. [Smile]

Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2