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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that my work colleagues have forgotten to buy me a present, and to be annoyed at this?

99 replies

Bleh · 26/10/2009 16:38

Office tradition is - on someone's birthday, they do a collection, buy a card and a present. Birthday person brings in cakes. I've fulfilled my part of the deal, they ALL know it's my birthday, and it's now 16:40 and I have yet to see anything present related. AIBU to be annoyed by this?

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 26/10/2009 16:41

YANBU

Maybe they don't like you much?

Or they will surprise you later?

overmydeadbody · 26/10/2009 16:41

Did they eat the cakes? Take them home with you.

said · 26/10/2009 16:42

How many in the office? Did they know it was your birthday before today?

Jeroboam · 26/10/2009 16:42

I really hope they've got a massive surprise waiting for you. If not, I think they are being rubbish tbh.

shockers · 26/10/2009 16:43

Has anyone 'popped out on an errand'? Maybe they did forget and someone is hurriedly looking round M&S as we type!

MmeGoblindt · 26/10/2009 16:44

Maybe the stripper got held up in traffic

belgo · 26/10/2009 16:44

YANBU, especially if you have previously put in for other people's presents, and have brought in cakes today.

Do you think they have decided to scrap the present buying thing just before your birthday?

Oh and Happy Birthday!

Original poster
Bleh · 26/10/2009 16:45

They knew because I started dropping hints on Friday and we have a spreadsheet. There's about 8 of us in the office, and we ALWAYS buy presents now for the b'day person. Now someone's left for the day. . Where's my presents? People have been going in and out all day, but they do that anyway to go get lunches etc.

That's it. I quit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bleh · 26/10/2009 16:46

And yes, they ate the cakes. They said how much they liked the cakes (thank you Belgo!)

OP posts:
belgo · 26/10/2009 16:47

I hope this evening is better for you!

Jeroboam · 26/10/2009 16:47

That's so shitty Bleh. Why don't you go home now and have a nice evening and forget about your colleagues. Happy Birthday btw!

Original poster
Bleh · 26/10/2009 16:48

It was all going so well (rest of the day has been FAB). Damn colleagues. No more cake for them. To think of all the things I've done for them. [sigh]

OP posts:
belgo · 26/10/2009 16:53

I'm still hoping that they are going to come in with your surprise present just at the last minute!

EyeballsintheSky · 26/10/2009 16:56

6 minutes to go. It's shite when that happens. Im still pissed off over the fact that when I left for ML they gave me (with loads of pressies) a poxy good luck card with about 3 signatures on. I've just organised one for colleague which is a leaving to have baby card and millions of people signed it.

Gits. Hope they've got a last minute surprise lined up...

Happy birthday

Chickenshavenolips · 26/10/2009 16:59

Did they seem at all embarassed to be scoffing your cakes?!

LittleWhiteWereWolf · 26/10/2009 17:00

I think you should quit!

Oh, thats really bad. I had this happen to me once, but it was someone elses last day the day before my birthday (when I was off) so I as gracious about it (still spent loads on cakes).
Then they decided that when everyone in our large team had had a birthday (except forgotten about me) they would stop because it was getting too pricey.
So to spite everyone I got married and then got pregnant so I got two lots of pressies and cards and things!

aristoBLACKcat · 26/10/2009 17:00

happy birthday........have a good evening tonight

pointyhat · 26/10/2009 17:00

That's a terrible tradition. Everyone get s apresent on their birthday? Collecting for people leaving or going on maternity leave takes up enough time and money. Is the tradition just impossible to maintain?

belgo · 26/10/2009 17:02

I agree pointyhat, it's too hard a tradition to maintain, but it's very upsetting to stop it at someone's birthday.

Hassled · 26/10/2009 17:02

You need to just ask them. Otherwise you will go insane and will be unable to speak to them in the morning. And it should embarrass the hell out of them, which is good.

Original poster
Bleh · 26/10/2009 17:05

3 minutes past five, nothing. Turned to one colleague and said, "where's my present?" She just laughed.

That's it. When they next ask for a contribution to people's birthday/leaving/wedding presents, I will say f*ck off.

Anyway, this wasn't a tradition until last year. Bit crap to stop it for MY birthday after I'd contributed ot almost everyone else's birthdays. And, DP had some books delivered to my office last week, so they KNEW it was my b'day, and all said happy b'day this morning.

I will also REFUSE to do any CRAPPY WORK FOR ANY OF THESE CRAPPY INDIVIDUALS.

OP posts:
Chickenshavenolips · 26/10/2009 17:06

Aw, that's shitty Bleh.

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/10/2009 17:09

ify ou have put money in for others in your office

then

yanbu to expect the same done for you

did they know it was your birthday? I know you said you hinted on friday

I would pass round cakes and then ask for pressie

maybe they forgot it was today - pretty piss por tbh

maybe tomorrow you will get something?

happy birthday

VerityBrulee · 26/10/2009 17:11

That's awful, they don't deserve you.
Forget them now and go home.

I hope you have a lovely birthday.

shockers · 26/10/2009 17:12

Yes.. Happy Birthday!!