say "Cash" if someone asks what you want around a gift giving time (Birthday, Christmas, etc)?

Got into an arguement with a friend who says it completely bratty and snobbish, whereas I think it's perfectly acceptable. especially when I often don't really even know, but i can just spend money later.

Whats Massassi's say?

Well I usually just say that if they truly wanted to give me a gift that would completely maximize my utility, that I would take the cash rather than a gift. If that doesn't work, I get out a piece of paper, draw a utility curve draft, and show the effects of cash versus a gift/gift card

Depends on who you're asking for cash. A friend is a nono, a family member acceptable.

I ask for lasers and hard drives usually

give your friend a dick in a box

i always ask for money...


...or blowjobs

my friends usually end up giving cash or giftcards anyway.

People usually ask me if there's anything I want/need. I usually can't think of anything specific, so they say just some money then?

I usually get cool things, but not what I want. Last year, the first time I sort of celebrated my birthday, I got a giant cigarrete pillow, and a beer pillow. I also got a strange bart simpson thing, that looks more like a stripper. I got lots of kisses and hugs and good wishes. Meh... I wanted something more... I dunno MEANINGFUL!

Usually it would be okay. But in this economy?

Honestly, there has to be a better way to make money, than go to work for 8-12 hours every day, and spend it all on rent, food, water, etc. Sometimes it feels no better than feudalism.

DICK.

In all honesy, I agree with Goldy - I don't mind asking my family for monays, but I wouldn't ask my friends. In fact, my friends would usually just buy me a drink and that's plenty.

I don't understand why it would ever be considered dickish. It's basically relieving the person of the burden of choosing a gift for you and letting you pick for yourself. Win for him or her, win for you.

In fact, around here it's the nice thing to do to say "you can just give me cash" instead of forcing someone to go out and shop for you.

The poll asking the opposite of the thread title is a little confusing.

Sometimes there's nothing you particular want or need, and you just need help making ends meet - or you might find something you want on a whim. I vote no.

Edit: I mean I vote yes. The post topic and poll question don't match up.

^^^

Knows what feudalism is like

The reason that asking for cash is so questionable is because it puts a "worth" on you. Let's face it, many friends (unless you're very close!) give gifts that may be only worth $10.

However if you just give someone $10 in cash, it comes across as cheap. You don't have to put any thought into giving someone cash, whilst buying a cheap present shows that you thought about what they might like and took the effort to buy/wrap it for them.

I hate getting money as a gift. The reasoning is this: I am employed, whilst not rich by any means, I have enough money so that any reasonable money gift (ie a tenner or something) is not going to make the slightest bit of difference to me.

But if someone can figure me out so well to find a great gift that I wouldn't have even thought of asking for... that is a great things.

For the same reason, I hate being asked what I want. Either get me a gift or don't, but if you do, at least put some thought into it.

Every year at Christmas, my best presents aren't the things I write on a list, but the things my mum buys spontaneously when she sees them. Without fail.

I've learned from my family that asking for cash usually warrants a lesser yield than just asking for items.

IE Cash gets $50-$100

Asking for Rockband Set(when it was new) = $200? (forgot what it cost)

If I like someone enough to get them a gift for whatever event is calling for it, then I want to get them something that means something.
I would like it to be something that, in 10 years time (or whatever) my friend will look at that old gift and be glad that he/she has it.
Cash, -while very useful- is meaningless.

Giving homemade gifts is always neat too, as long as it's something you've invested actual time and effort in.