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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:
pigletmania · 27/10/2009 09:49

Yeh ask for a refund on your previous contributions what utter tossers, just look at it this way its going to save you money on all the birthday contributions in the office that you wont contribute to next year

thedollshouse · 27/10/2009 09:52

On the upside at least you didn't have to make lots of "ooh" and "aah" noises as they gather around your desk and present you with yet another set of scented candles.

MillyMaisMummy · 27/10/2009 09:59

I had the same thing with my work.I work as a homecare.The girls who work in the office get cards and gifts if they are leaving,having a baby o its their bday....But what do us homecarers get?Nothing!Not even a card in the post or a happy birthday!Well actualy i booked my bday off and they rang on my bday and asked why i was'nt working, to which i replied "I booked today off cuz its my bday" the reply: "Oh happy bday, so um do u think you could go to mr/mrs...."...Nice....

Original poster
Bleh · 28/10/2009 09:30

UPDATE
Still no present (though I have only been in half hour). They continue to eat all the cake.

OP posts:
LuluDanceOnMyGrave · 28/10/2009 09:33

You left the cake for them? I would have put it all on my desk with barbed wire round it and a sign saying 'Nob off you meanies!'

LoveBeingAMummy · 28/10/2009 09:33

Take the cake back!

traceybath · 28/10/2009 09:38

Afraid I'd have to ask 'are we not doing the birthday present thing anymore' and get to the bottom of it.

Preferably making them all feel really really guilty. But then I'm evil.

ZZZenAgain · 28/10/2009 09:41

how much cake did you bring, they're still eating it?

Sprinkle salt on it
Pop out get some laxative and make them a nice pot of tea

Cow-bags

yes wtf was the colleague laughing for when you asked about your present?

ZZZenAgain · 28/10/2009 09:42

OMG just seen the date and it's my db's birthday and I forgot

eek

PuppyMonkey · 28/10/2009 09:47

This is a travesty. I can't wait for your reaction the first time one of those collection envelopes comes round for someone else.

I work in a massive office, so prezzie collections are mercifully rare (only leaving do's really). I always dutifully contribute. There was a collection for me when I went on maternity leave, but they got me a really naff cuddly horse which I am ashamed to say I was slightly disappointed in. Wish they'd not bothered!!

Ho hum.

babybarrister · 28/10/2009 09:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sharpyharpy · 28/10/2009 09:50

I would find somewhere else to work if at all possible . Studdies have show work collegues have a much bigger influance on our general levels of happines than neighbours and family!!!!

Cockavita · 28/10/2009 09:50

Have just been reading this with my jaw on the floor. How awful for you. You should have taken the cake home with you.... retched colleagues.

Yes, me too, would like to see their faces when you refuse to contribute to someone elses present.

They should be ashamed of themselves.

ZZZenAgain · 28/10/2009 09:52

unless it#s you Bleh who normally goes round organising the collection and buying the present?

No, thought not. Bunch of cow-bags

Original poster
Bleh · 28/10/2009 09:59

It's not me who normally organises this, it's the team's PA (who said Happy Birthday to me first thing that morning, so SHE hadn't forgotten). I have been an absolute pleasure to work with this morning (in opposite world) and got into a MASSIVE argument with a colleague (and he STILL refuses to listen to me. Does my head in). This was just an extra crappy issue in a whole line of crappy issues that is making me send out my CV faster than the speed of light.

Yes, like the laxatives idea ...

OP posts:
Monsterspam · 28/10/2009 10:10

Bleh, Have you said to any of them "not being funny but you do know it was my Birthday, don't you?"

Original poster
Bleh · 28/10/2009 10:20

That's the thing, I don't know how to bring it up. They've been going on and on about my birthday, asking where DP and I went for dinner (whether or not he proposed like I'd tell them that kind of thing after this incident), so it's not forgetting the b'day, it's the present. And to go "where's my present biatches" sounds a bit grabbing, IYKWIM.

OP posts:
Monsterspam · 28/10/2009 11:02

I think you'd have to be really blunt and say something like "have we stopped buying presents for birthdays then?" or "Oi! Selfish twunts! Present! Now!"

BudaBones · 28/10/2009 11:05

I couldn't say anything either but next time they do a collection for a birthday I would just say "Oh - I thought we had stopped doing this - I know I didn't get anything for my birthday." And then something like "What has X got that I don't then?" and see if they say anything.

TspookyChasm · 28/10/2009 11:06

You don't bring it up. Just bide your time until the next birthday 'collection' comes along and have a withering reply or two lined up.

Revenge is a dish best served cold and all that

chimchar · 28/10/2009 11:13

awwww bleh.

was just reading this for the first time and was reallly hoping that you came in this morning with a big pile waiting for you.....but no?

they sound like a bunch o shites.

i agree...don't ask, but bide your time. i can understand how very mad you must be.

Original poster
Bleh · 28/10/2009 12:03

Yip, as I have drawn a complete blank when trying to figure out a dignified way to say "where's my presents" (I'm trying to maintain my dignity in relation to this, failing in other areas), I'm just leaving it. Then, next collection (for someone's wedding), I'm just going to say no. Sorry, I thought we'd stopped doing gifts.

OP posts:
Julezboo · 28/10/2009 12:39

OH how crap!

I had the same tbh. I always brought in cake for people's birthday and bought a card, mostly out of my own money. Then when I got married never even got a card.

I am leaving on Friday so we will see (not related to the no cake or card for wedding

But I do have a lot of people coming to the pub with me on Friday so if there's no card I shall expect a lot of drinks being bought for me !

vanimal · 28/10/2009 12:41

Oh no, I was scrolling down this thread waiting for you to announce that they had got you a present finally.

Bastards, that is really, really shitty of them

Happy birthday though.

pigletmania · 28/10/2009 13:17

Bleh its going to cost you less next year all the contributions to weddings and birthdays you wont be making , especially birthdays. Next time they come to you with a envelope for a contribution to someones birthday, say oh i thought we dont collect for birthdays anymore then pass it on to someone else. Please keep us updated on any happenings in the office regarding contributions to peoples birthdays. I would still contribute for weddings and babies, so that you get a present if your turn comes round.

Why did you leave the cakes out after that , i would have taken them home for me to enjoy. hope that this did not spoil your special day and that you had a lovely one dispite those office tight wads.