Are You Any Good At Acting Surprised? Or Acting Like You Love A Gift...

[arwalden]

... that you think is truly HIDEOUS?
... that you KNOW is too big?
... that you KNOW is too small?
... that you ALREADY HAVE?
... that's just plain tacky?

Please help! I need coaching on what to say.

-- Allen

[GOPisEvil]

1. "Thank you for thinking of me."

Just don't get into what they were thinking, or drinking, or smoking...

[ZenLefty]

2. Hey! That's what you said when I gave you that soap on a rope.

I knew you really didn't like it.

[GOPisEvil]

4. I was expecting Pope soap on a rope.

I'm picky.

http://store5.yimg.com/I/amenwardyhome_1768_221094400 (click for truly strange image.)

[ZenLefty]

9. I thought you said 'dope on a rope'

I was so proud of finding hemp soap, too.



http://www.kindsuds.com/

[demnan]

3. No, I'm horrible, but let me suggest:

Interesting is a very generic word as in "Oh, what an interesting gift, I don't know what I would do with this one, and my apartment is so small, do you mind if I return it?" or "that's very interesting I already have one, may I return it?"

[Alenne]

5. Don't act like you love the gift

Act like you love the idea of them getting you something. Every year my Aunt Doris gets me a 5 pack of flowered bloomers. Every year I sincerely thank her for thinking of me because she didn't have to get me anything.

[amazona]

6. here are two ideas I use

"It's a great gift and just what I wanted. In fact, I had already bought one a few months ago but I don't have my receipt anymore. Could I have your receipt so I can return the extra one? You've been so thoughtful, and I don't want you to go to any more trouble, so I insist on doing it myself."

"It's wonderful but it's a little too big (I'm tiny so it's always too big but you can say too small). If you let me have the receipt, I can return it myself and be sure to get the right size. You've been so thoughtful, I really don't want you to go to any more trouble...."

Either way, you get what you want -- the receipt, and you can return the crap for a gift card.

In days gone by, it was better though. I used to return gifts all over the place for cash. Especially clothes. Who wants clothes picked out without trying them on? Argh. But they don't give you cash any more. Just those stupid gift cards. But it's better than just throwing the "gift" in the trash.

[arwalden]

16. The "Just-What-I-Wanted" Lie Brings Trouble...

because they will get you MORE of the SAME for years to come.

-- Allen

[Lars39]

7. Lie quickly and cleanly.

"Oh, I LOVE it, isn't it neat, pretty, handy"...whatever. Say it loudly as as soon as you spy the gift thru the paper, so there's no doubt that you said it. This is not just years of experience talking here, O8) but also observing how other people handle the atrocities they've been gifted(and re-gifted)with. Remember: he who hesitates is dubbed a fake :)

[ZenLefty]

8. Imitation is kind flattery

Watch how this person reacts when they open a present. Facial expression, what they say, what they do, how they hold the gift, etc. When you open yours, do the same thing.

[Kamika]

10. its easy

Put on a big smile and say "oh wow this is perfect/great!" then if its some appliance, go on how you been wanting to buy it.

[southerngirlwriter]

11. Smile and say thank you.

The smile is what's most important. If you pull that off, they'll buy it. And remember that, in MOST circumstances, people only buy gifts for you if they like/love you. That's usually worth a smile anyway.

[radwriter0555]

12. What IS IT??? you HAVE To tell!

Geesh!

[rucky]

13. Don't repeat the name of the gift

I always know when a person doesn't like the gift: they repeat the gift:

A porcelain figurine!
A toaster!

[terrya]

14. "Oh, gee! You shouldn't have!!"

I'm apologize. That's lame.

[Skittles]

15. Tombo's parents gave me a truly hideous sweater a couple years ago

I said oh that's nice but no WAY was I convincing. I mean, it was REALLY UGLY.

[populistmom]

17. Depends on who it is

If it's someone closer to me, it's pretty hard to fool them with simply the "thank you and a smile thing". However, I'm such a lousy liar, I probably can't fool anyone.

[cmd]

18. After years of opening gifts from my kindergarteners...

The perfect answer is Oh! I know just what to do with this! Thank you!

The answer is vague enough to enable you to be honest. After all, just what do you do with umpteen World's Greatest Teacher ornaments, mugs, wall plaques............? I certainly don't have a room dedicated to them.