AIBU to want presents from the people I have helped all year...

[DidoTheDodo]

...in the style of teachers?

Or I am irrationally jealous?

(I have never received a mug or a key ring from anyone :( )

I don't know. What sort if help have you given? Did you do it to get something in return or just it felt right to do so?

I'm being tongue in cheek. There just seem to be lots of threads about presents for teachers - it's that time of year! I didn't expect to be taken seriously!!

For the record, I work for a medical research charity.

YABU. I do a lot of voluntary work and I find it embarrassing when people give me gifts as a thank you.

I worked in corporate world before I became a teacher. Let's just say that the gifts I received in that job were just insane. I'd take home boxes and boxes of wine and spirits, expensive corporate diaries, pens (expensive ones, not cheapies), all sorts of samples, it was just crazy. Not to mention the parties held all through the year. One party had an alcohol bill of $30k (AUD) for 60 people! Teacher presents are really just a drop in the ocean compared to some corporate environments.

It never fails to puzzle me why this bugs people. If you don't want to buy the teacher a present, then just don't - they really won't expect it and they really won't favour John whose mum have them a £100 gift voucher.

I do it as I just think it's a nice thing to do for people who have a massive input in my sons' lives and who really do go out of their way to help them. But I've never felt it compulsory or begrudged them.

And yes totally agree the point re corporate gifts, it can be shocking!!

We have never given the teacher a gift!

I am a generous person, giving cards and flowers and wine to all and sundry willy-nilly, so its not like I'm mean or anything, but I just cannot see why teachers need 30 little presents twice a year .

I'm sure its a pita to receive them sometimes.

When I worked, I used to take my team out for drinks 2 or 3 times a year to celebrate the end of projects. Occasionally brought in cakes to mark other important milestones. This was thanking them for a job well done, a personal touch over and above their pay.

I view a gift to teachers in the same way. Yes they are paid, but if they have given my child an enjoyable year, and have taught them, and looked after them when sad, then I want to do a personal thank you too.

Teachers getting presents doesn't bug me (although Mintyy I like your style!).

I used to be a teacher.

I just want to know if I ABU for wanting the rest of us to get similar acknowledgement and 30 mugs ?

Dh gets given gifts in way of thanks for his job - solicitor.
BIL gets gifts - surveyor.
Friend's dh gets gifts - another type of surveyor iirr

etc

There gifts tend to be alcohol and chocolate based for individual clients, but from other companies/contacts/etc tend to be things like cases of wine, theatre tickets, golf vouchers, etc and not to mention the invitations to watch sporting events (horse racing, golf, cricket, rugby, football) or boxes at arenas for concerts, etc.

I think it is annoying that some jobs seem more worthy of gifts than others but I think some teachers deserve it, personally.

My DS has finished his education and I bought 4 gifts throughout for exceptional teachers. My DDs have had exceptional teachers over the last few years, my DD1 has had SUCH a good teacher this year that I will be buying her a very expensive gift. My choice.

In my career I have worked in a similar public service job to teaching and in one role received the odd box of chocolates. In another role (think saving lives) I got so many gifts that I gave them away all the time, I couldn't drink that much wine/eat that much chocolate. My wallet was so full of gift voucher cards I couldn't close it sometimes.

I'm now in another role where I get nothing!

I'm still the same person, with the same value, working just as hard but it's about perception I guess.

I had a gift from a client once. That was in 1999. I long for another.

I don't have a problem with it as long as it stays at small, inexpensive gifts like a box of sweets or a scented candle. It's when some parents start giving £50 vouchers or expensive jewellery that it gets out of hand. This happened in Ireland during our economic boom a while ago and some school principals had to step in and put a stop to teachers getting presents as it was becoming embarrassing and inappropriate.

However, at the majority of schools I think most parents still just give small gesture type presents.

YANBU. If all the people I'd held doors for would just think on...maybe club together then I could get a bloody house or something nice!

Nobody thinks of the small person. That's the trouble OP.

Yanbu to want people to show their appreciation in someway if you do something to help them. If someone does something nice for me I often do give them a thank you card or a gift because I like to show my appreciation. I am buying ds's childminder an end of term gift and will be buying for his teachers when he gets older. Some people don't. That's fine. It's personal choice. I find it strange that some people think we should all do the same.

We used to have customers bring in chocolates for us when I worked at the toy shop.

Doesn't happen so much now I work at the chocolate shop...

My father was a doctor. Your eyes would water if you could see some of the gifts he was given by 'grateful patients' as they were always known.

I used to be a teacher. I was pretty indifferent about the gifts I received tbh. I was young and could eat anything in those days without gaining weight and I have never been fussed about which toiletries I use, so I preferred the consumable gifts - chocolate and bubble bath, etc - rather than something that was supposed to be cherished. Whatever your taste, it is unlikely to be the same as the teacher's.

I am with Mintyy now - never give presents. I suppose because I was not that fussed about receiving them myself. I think a heartfelt thank you goes a lot further.

I give hours and hours to a voluntary organisation every year, but squirm with embarrassment when I get given a gift.
That's just me though.

I like getting thank you cards though

My father was a doctor. Your eyes would water if you could see some of the gifts he was given by 'grateful patients' as they were always known

My friend is a nurse in an NHS hospital, she's not allowed to accept presents, apart from a box of chocolates for the whole ward staff. The doctors on the other hand are allowed to accept presents for some reason.

To be fair, we aren't allowed to accept gifts of greater value than a cheapo pen so it's all a bit hypothetical anyway!

A recruitment consultant came round with a cake box the other week. we all got very excited, thinking there might be a CAKE in the box.
No. There was a single Kit Kat. Between 5 of us.

My Mum works at a GP surgery and at Christmas all the presents the doctors and nurses are given by their 'regulars' (it's usually those patients in and out for appointments and treatments every week) get divided up between the practice staff unless it's a very individual thing; so the boxes of chocolates or biscuits or alcohol are shared around. My Mum is a practice manager and they don't often get people personally giving them shortbread but she'd usually bring a tin or two home on Christmas Eve!

I'm a civil servant and no pressies for us here - and we'd probably have to declare it on a gift registry if anyone had a strange notion to give us something...

YANBU

here you go,

Isn't it a bit like giving a tip? If you feel someone has done their job well you want to show them you appreciate it. I think there should be more of making people feel special for a job well done. We do it with kids. A little bit of praise goes a long way, so a present isn't necessary but a heart felt thanks goes a long with everyone.

Aw thanks Harold

My friend is a nurse in an NHS hospital, she's not allowed to accept presents, apart from a box of chocolates for the whole ward staff. The doctors on the other hand are allowed to accept presents for some reason.

KenDodd, to be fair on my father, I think most gifts came from private patients. He did both NHS and private work.

In that case, my point is that no there is no reason for someone to give you something. I believe it's true for teachers and GP and whole lot if other type of oeople working with the public.
However, I have done so in the past for a practitioner that literally supported me for 3 years when things were really though. I know things would have been very different to his support so I did give something, c card exploding how grateful I was and why.

Corporate gifts are... Another kettle of fish and no really a good thing IMO. But that's a whole different discussion