OH COLOMBO! By Koluu
Even though Colombo looked quite dismal during the year end season with its lack of deco, the season was in great swing with the society gals and guys partying as if there was no tomorrow. The usual society politics also carried on. It still amazes me how we do not have the courage to admit or simply say that no invitation had been extended to a particular function. This would seem especially so when it comes to wedding invitations and most seem to feel that it is such a humiliation that they would rather take off to a nearby country during the event without admitting that they were not invited. Sad is the story but true.
It has now become an obligation to take a gift when visiting a home and not necessarily for a birthday. Taking a bottle of wine on such an occasion seems to be the least offensive, even though the very same bottle has spent some time in every home of that circle of friends.
Mopsy recently related a story of a gift she had received at a Christmas event. It was a pair of earrings packed in a fancy costume jewellery box. She felt most insulted as, for starters, it was something she would never wear. Further, she knew the earrings had been worn by the giver since she had seen a photograph in a society magazine with the said person wearing them. An infuriated Mopsy decided to chuck the earrings into the bin as she felt that even her aide at home had better taste.
Tootsie had another story where she was gifted with a handbag. Knowing her bags well she knew this was a used one and she was spot on as when she opened it there were some coins tucked away inside along with a bill from a restaurant and marketing list in a zipped compartment.
Another received a gift of some fabulous designer kurthi all folded up in the designer box. Lo and behold, when she opened it, there were some oil splashes and stains in the midst of the stone work.
Expired chocolates, and many other sell by date gifts are presented, which do not please the hosts but leave them feeling insulted. At times the gift wrapping is more expensive than the tacky gift inside.
Gone or rare are the days where one would receive a gift of some home-made pickles, chutneys, milk toffees and sweetmeats. Instead, all the junk one wants to get rid of is packaged beautifully and gifted to another whilst visiting. There is no hard and fast rule or any sort of obligation to carry gifts when visiting. If one wishes to give a gift, give a thoughtful one, instead of trying to re-gift a gift. Recycle your old stuff by donating them to some charity for a jumble sale and as for the expired food stuff, bin them.
If you are planning on giving a gift or you are one of those who feel obliged to give a gift just remember that gift giving is about the person who is receiving the gift. Your joy in giving will be as much a gift to you as it is to the receiver and you will truly know why it is better to give.
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