Is it weird that I buy a customer a Christmas present

[Shinyshoes1]

I work in a very male dominated area ... VERY male dominated ..

There's this regular customer that comes in , he's such a nice bloke .. I'd say one of the nicest customers we have .

He's only been regularly coming in for a few months . He works nights outdoors and he seems to do nothing but work , visit the shop and sleep .
I don't know a huge amount about him , only that he found it amusing when I suggested he had children and he lost " a lot " when he was an alcoholic ...

He's never come in drunk and seems sober . He tells me he's been sober for sometime .

Anyway , back on track , we chat when he comes in . The usual pleasentries.

I'd like to buy him something for Christmas , just a token gesture like a scarf as he's mentioned he's working nights outside until Christmas.

This doesn't mean anything romantic , I've been with my fella for 17 years .
I just think he's such a nice soul and I want to give him something nice

Is this unusual or wierd ?

I used to work in a pub and occasionally the very regulars bought small token gifts for me, it's nice to be thought of I think and might just make his day

I'm not sure tbh. It shouldn't seem weird given what you've written but for some reason it does? You said you don't know much about him and that he seems nice etc but that doesn't seem like a reason to buy someone a present, esp another man. If it's a colleague then of course fine, or if he was someone you mixed with then fine but to buy for someone you only see as a customer seems odd sorry (especially since you say you don't know much about him...i think he may read more into it even if you don't)

I can see a difference in your situation lucysmum as you can get chatting to bar staff for ages once sat at a bar etc etc but shops tend to be much faster paced and not the place to get to know someone at all.

I'm sorry, I think it will seem weird, and will probably be interpreted as a "come on". It's a shame, but that's how the world is.

It screams of a come on to me- sorry :)

It would be a bit strange. I'm very fond of lots of puerile that would feel embarrassed if I have thema present eg friends' parents, the old man I speak to at the bus stop most weeks.

It's a nice thought, but that it could make the recipient feel awkward.

Lots of people, that should say!

Why not make a batch of mince pies to take in and to give to all of your (nice) customers. Hide 'em under the counter when the nasty ones come in. And save one for your favourite customer.

Could you just get him a card? Less of a big deal, but still thoughtful...

I would agree with the other posters.
A card, mincemeat pie or a small cake would be alot 'safer' and still give the man the sense of being appreciated.