So I work in an environment of 6/7 people. It used to be a lot larger than this and every birthday someone used to do a collection, buy a card and stick the cash in. It was around £50 that the birthday person ended up getting.
When we lessened in numbers it was agreed that we wouldn't do the collection anymore and that if someone wanted to buy a colleague something on their birthday, they would do so off their own bat.
Last year I bought either flowers or wine for 2 colleagues with Jan/March birthdays but got nothing in return when it was my birthday.
I didn't sulk about it, just decided that I wouldn't buy anyone birthday tokens again. I'm not particularly close to any of these people really.
Now it has been suggested that we start up a collection again for birthdays. I really don't want to and have said as much but everyone else is doing it and I think they think I'm mean. I'm not, I just can't be arsed! Should I just chip in for the sake of it or should I stand my ground and be the office tight arse haha?