I am bottom of the food chain in a team of 9. Well, there's say 2/3 members that have higher positions, the rest of us are the minions. I have been part of this team for 6 years and we have never done anything social as a team. We have also never celebrated birthdays, even through throughout the years there's been the off person bringing cupcakes or whatever because it was their birthday. Nothing too structured or planned. My birthday has never been acknowledged in any way shape or form, not ever. This suits me just fine. I really don't want to get into having to acknowledge birthdays from people I work with. I know this might sound a bit miserable, but the people I work with are not my mates; we work together just fine but I would never see them outside a work context.
A member of the team has randomly sent an email saying that it's someone's birthday and she's bought a card and a bottle, and can we sign and contribute. The gift and card will be given to her at our next team meeting. This person is top of the food chain, not just within our team, but within the department.
I have not seen replies from anyone, but I am quite certain that everyone will go along with it. I really don't want to. Problem is, it will look incredibly obvious if I am not part of it as the whole thing's being done in the team meeting.
I know it's incredibly miserable of me but I resent it. We either do it for all or not at all. Certainly not just for the top dog. Or AIBU?