Rekha`s elder sister Rema and her husband Sudhir have come down to India from the Gulf.
What kabuliwalas were in the 70s, the Gulfwalas are today. They always come back with goodies for everybody. This being the Christmas season, I wouldn`t be off target if I compared them to Santa Claws. Oops! Santa Clause.
Living up to the expectations – in fact even exceeding them – they bought me Nokia N70. They had called me one month earlier to check what I wanted.
“We are coming to India next month. Anything we can bring for you?” It was my brother-in-law on the speaker phone with my sister-in-law listening.
My parents have always taught me to refuse at least three times before accepting anything. So, I quickly said: “Nothing for me please. Nothing for me please. Nothing for me please,” and waited for them to respond.
It was my sister-in-law who spoke next: “No Rajan, we want to gift you something. Thought we should check with you and buy you something you need.”
I had only three seconds to respond. The character of a man is decided in these three seconds. I had a few options – refusing their gift and telling them that I would be excited if they stayed with us for a few days, was the best option. The worst option was to list out the things I wanted from the Gulf – barring petrol of course.
With the fear that they might give in any moment and say, “OK then, no gift for you this time”, I replied: “I really think you should not take all the trouble.”
“It is no trouble at all. In an hour`s time we are going out for shopping and we could get you whatever you want.” That was my brother-in-law.
My mind went racing. I had bought gifts for so many people (none exceeding Rs 300/-). Before I walk into a store, I have always asked myself a few questions –
- Do I really need to gift this guy – will he be useful to me?
- Will this guy ever gift me back?
- Will this gift ensure better results when I forward a resume to him?
- Is there a possibility that I am overdoing it – will he/she be happy with a Rs 200/- gift?
My mind came back to the present. I had to quickly come up with a gift item…else I might be gifted with a Gillette deo, a Gillette shaving foam and a Gillette shampoo (if at all Gillette makes that). The problem with suggesting a gift was …I didn`t know their budget and I didn`t know what the Gulf is famous for, besides fuel of course.
- If they were in Iraq…I could have asked for an armored tank.
- If they were in Palestine, I could have asked for an AK-47.
- If they were in Pakistan, I could have asked for a kilogram of RDX.
- If they were in Russia, I could have asked for a pinch of Polonium.
- If they were in Netherlands, I could have asked for some cocaine. Apparently, it is legal to buy and sell drugs there.
Since they were sitting in the Gulf, I said: “I am fine with anything as long as it is a Nokia N70 phone.”
They reached Chennai today and I have my Nokia N70. The problem is….now my wife wants to gift them something. I tried to argue…but the argument ended with a cold stare from Rekha when I said: “Why can`t we cancel the gifts…I can give them back the Nokia N70…and we wouldn`t have to buy them anything.”
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19 replies on “Accepting gifts from relatives”
hmm.. me too waiting to get a gift fm kabuliwali oops my hus’s brother coming fm gulf , but so sweet rekha’s sis to ask what gift u want..
Raj, did u also get a leather carry case for that ? Check with ’em…You get good ones… hopefully those kabuliwaalas didnt forget that …
What was Rekha’s Gift anyway?
i luv my inlaws too for givin me cash always as gift…as i have given a standing instruction 2 my inlaws tht I hate gifts…i m saved of d embarassmnt of saying “no” thrice…n my cash covers come to me thru my wife..hey Jammy, did u tell Rekha n Rema tht you hav a found ur long lost bro in Mumbai..n he’s usin a v old P900 mob…n wudnt mind an N90 series…if u havnt conveyd this yet..thn pls let me talk 2 rekha bhabhi..plssssss.
Btw m postin this on Go! Jammy get WAP enabled…Now!
i luv my inlaws too for givin me cash always as gift…as i have given a standing instruction 2 my inlaws tht I hate gifts…i m saved of d embarassmnt of saying “no” thrice…n my cash covers come to me thru my wife..hey Jammy, did u tell Rekha n Rema tht you hav a found ur long lost bro in Mumbai..n he’s usin a v old P900 mob…n wudnt mind an N90 series…if u havnt conveyd this yet..thn pls let me talk 2 rekha bhabhi..plssssss.
Btw m postin this on Go! Jammy get WAP enabld asap
i luv my inlaws too for givin me cash always as gift…as i have given a standing instruction 2 my inlaws tht I hate gifts…i m saved of d embarassmnt of saying “no” thrice…n my cash covers come to me thru my wife..hey Jammy, did u tell Rekha n Rema tht you hav a found ur long lost bro in Mumbai..n he’s usin a v old P900 mob…n wudnt mind an N90 series…if u havnt conveyd this yet..thn pls let me talk 2 rekha bhabhi..plssssss.
Btw m postin this on Go!
test
now dont do anything drastic, dont activate your gprs and start blogging while you are driving, then seriousa the next post can only say “OUCH!!! MY TOE”
Gift them back a mobile case. First find out what mobile he uses and then surprise him. I am sure if he can gift a N70 then must have at least N90.
Problem of plenty!!!
Re:Ur blogger links. How would I qualify to be an “outstanding” blogger?
blogs r coming up late.. seems u r preggy jams 😉
megha, also note that there are no replies… I wonder whether it is he or rekha who is preggy? Or is Yahoo taking his time?!?
Brilliant! as always…..
Outstanding description Jammy.
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All about niagara falls first niagarafirst niagara
Non Me being in Malaysia, I have a big list to buy for my friends and sisters… I am going to buy them as gifts, as it is a plain black mail from them that I should bring all these when I come back, else they will shoot me right when i get down from the plane if I dont bring them. 🙂 So much loving and caring they are 🙂
Excellent site, keep up the good work
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