AIBU in thinking 'what's wrong with everyone just signing a card?'?

[Floogal]

Another whip round thread. My manager is turning 40 soon. 2 of the supervisors are organising a card for everyone to sign, alongside the dreaded whip round. They have even emailed and WhatsApped their bank details so people can contribute (alongside cash donations). FFS, what is wrong with people just signing a card? I'm always grateful for birthday and Xmas cards and that is good enough quite frankly!!! I can understand gifts if someone is retiring, but birthdays is a bit much.
For one thing there is a big income disparity at work (as other workplaces) and it is wrong to pressure people to donate. Also, I hate the sucking up.
The worst part is, I have worked on other places with even more extreme whip round cultures.

Only buying gifts such as something for Christmas to colleagues lower than yourself. So the boss gifts his team a Christmas hamper but the team wouldn’t have a whip around for the boss and so on.

Just say no. It works. I just don't care what anyone thinks of me. I have enough to pay for at home.

I thought there was an unspoken rule that you don’t give the management gifts? Frankly we didn’t do this sort if thing fir birthdays - maybe a drink down the pub after work or you might bring in a cake, but whip rounds were saved for leaving dos (and not of the manager)!

Totally agree as it's never ending, and only some are recipients.
I ignore it at my workplace as it was every blooming week! Also it was never my birthday lol

Bingo. Got too much downtime at work to smarm up to the big girls. Also, yes, I wonder what happens to any left over money 🤑 💰