Comments on: What do I get you?

Question: What do I get you?

russmail — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:35:26 -0800

SayonaraFilter: I've shared an office with a colleague for 3 years and tomorrow is his last day. I would very much like to get him some sort of sincere gift, but he doesn't drink booze or eat chocolate, so that's both my plans nixed already. To make matters worse...

...he really doesn't have any interests - "what did you do at the weekend?" - "nothing." "What are you doing for the holidays?" - "I dunno." Doesn't listen to music, has a girlfriend of 8 years he never talks about, never goes to the movies. We're friends and we respect each other, and 3 years is a long time to share a space with someone, but we don't hang out after work or anything.

So I guess what I'm saying is, what do you buy the man who has nothing...? In 24hrs...?

By: JanetLand

JanetLand — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:38:06 -0800

Other kinds of food? A fruit basket maybe, or a gift certificate to Omaha Steaks, or someplace more local, like a fancy restaurant?

By: cerebus19

cerebus19 — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:43:21 -0800

Something for his office at his next job? Maybe a nice plant, or, if you think he'd appreciate it, something funny like one of the many Dilbert-related toys?

By: peppermint22

peppermint22 — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:43:21 -0800

A nice card... a gift certificate to Best Buy... where's he going anyway? A new job? Maybe get him a nice pen or a leather portfolio...

By: russmail

russmail — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:46:59 -0800

oh sorry - I should have mentioned: he's Vietnamese and Western humor doesn't really push his buttons. I know this is hard - that's why I have to ask!

By: Sara Anne

Sara Anne — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:49:22 -0800

A nice pen/pencil set.

By: ITheCosmos

ITheCosmos — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:02:46 -0800

Some good coffee? Does he do that?

By: leapingsheep

leapingsheep — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:02:57 -0800

A nice magnifying glass, or a carved decorative wooden box.

By: ObscureReferenceMan

ObscureReferenceMan — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:05:48 -0800

Seriously, what Sara Anne said. For pens, check out this AskMe thread and this one. Some of the manufacturers listed make matching pencils.

By: amtho

amtho — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:07:35 -0800

What's his job / field?

A beautiful calendar for next year, or maybe a book of pretty pictures?

Here's something off the wall - a kite! Sounds like this guy could use a little something fun to do with his girlfriend :)

By: patricio

patricio — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:16:58 -0800

second the suggestion of a leather portfolio or desk blotter. If the only thing you know is that his interests include the office (he's worked for three years...) get him something to do with that. Things like a portfolio have a reasonable "good impression per dollar" ratio.

(of course, if he's retiring do ignore me)

By: matildaben

matildaben — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:31:21 -0800

Maybe he has a really great life but he's just a very private person, or doesn't feel it's culturally appropriate to talk about his life at work.

When all else fails, an Amazon.com gift certificate is a good fallback.

By: jrossi4r

jrossi4r — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:31:27 -0800

When I left my last job, I bought my co-worker a cool desk clock.

By: russmail

russmail — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:43:09 -0800

More apologies - we work in IT, so I don't think "classic" gifts like portfolios or pens working well. Difficult, huh?

By: lyam

lyam — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:51:26 -0800

Gift Certificate to a Bookstore.

By: aubilenon

aubilenon — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:51:59 -0800

Oh come on, even if you're in IT you use pens sometimes. And if it's nice, and if your friendship is meaningful, he will value it.

By: Dick Paris

Dick Paris — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:56:49 -0800

Nothing. Seriously. Sounds like you really do not know him at all, that he is very private person and any gift will land like a dud.

By: fenriq

fenriq — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:01:30 -0800

There are some cool geek widgets at CyberGuys especially in the Desk Toys section.

If it were me, I'd want one of the Twisted Metal warrior figures.

And if you get him a pen, make sure its got a laser pointer built-in.

Though, I kind of actually agree with Dick Paris.

By: russmail

russmail — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:02:21 -0800

Yes Dick Paris, that is exactly the situation I am in - I don't think that means I should compeltely blow him off though!

[No, he doesn't read books either :-(]

By: terrapin

terrapin — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:12:48 -0800

If all else fails, why not a simple card? One with a photo or sketch, or maybe a handmade card. The card doesn't have to say anyting in it other than "enjoyed working with you. best of luck" if you don't want to make him feel awkward. Sign your name and say the rest with words as you part.

By: AmbroseChapel

AmbroseChapel — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:16:48 -0800

He has a car, right? So get him something for his car?

By: lester

lester — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:18:01 -0800

I'd get him a gift card to a general merchandise place--like sears or target.

By: russilwvong

russilwvong — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:23:03 -0800

Another vote for a gift certificate.

By: AmbroseChapel

AmbroseChapel — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:25:20 -0800

OK, I just asked someone Vietnamese, and they say, if it was in Vietnam, they wouldn't give gifts. They would take him out to a restaurant and have a nice meal and a few beers. She says, even if he "doesn't drink", he'll drink if you're buying!

By: barnone

barnone — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:26:04 -0800

- Nice business card holder. Always useful when meeting new people, which it sounds like he'll be doing.
- Nice travel mug for coffee and the car.
- Nice bag of Vietnamese coffee with a cool mug, if he drinks it.
- Where do you live? Tickets to a museum, new nice laminated map for the city if he's moving elsewhere.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:27:00 -0800

Flooz

By: Atreides

Atreides — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:37:55 -0800

If you want to provide him with a gift that he might enjoy, but will also remind him of you, what about a copy of your favorite book? Or a book in general? Unless he absolutely hates to read, a classic American novel might be something he'd appreciate.

By: vieuxmaitres

vieuxmaitres — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:46:21 -0800

Why not making something? Just buy the cheapest USB key you can find and fill it with related pictures, video and good luck messages. Personal time is always an appreciated gift, specially in cultural situations.

By: lyam

lyam — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:49:14 -0800

He doesn't read?!

Even moderately educated IT folks I know read!

Ah well. I like the restaurant idea. Even if you don't know him and think it might be to forward, take him out to lunch on his last day.

By: birdie birdington

birdie birdington — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:57:47 -0800

I'm voting for amazon gift card as well. There's gotta be something he can want from amazon. And if not? Girlfriend.

If he's private and impersonal then he'd probably like to be treated with some coolness; a gift card is good for giving a gift without being cloying or forcing a level of closeness he's not comfortable with.

By: Ogre Lawless

Ogre Lawless — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:05:40 -0800

++porfolio, even for IT. Ever go to a meeting with clients or job interview? Sure you do. Always a useful if perhaps not everyday-so gift for the business set. Laptop bag? Hardback K&R C book? Wireless keyboard? Engraved mug? Some ORA book for a language you guys don't use but might be professionally useful?

By: russmail

russmail — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:07:42 -0800

Yeah - you're right a gift card is a great way to go. I've just never given them before as I've thought them a little impersonal. I guess that's my issue I just have to get over.

I just asked him to lunch and someone had already beaten me to it. And tomorrow... :-(

By: coriolisdave

coriolisdave — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:35:19 -0800

Everybody loves a pirate mug!

By: dgaicun

dgaicun — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:56:41 -0800

A firm handshake, and sincere well wishing.

Let's face it, if you buy this man a gift certificate he will never use it.

By: craniac

craniac — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 14:03:59 -0800

A green laser pointer.

Flooz

Hahaha! Oh, the good old days.

By: josh

josh — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 15:20:00 -0800

Don't get a gift card - take him out to dinner or buy him a nice wallet. Most men have horrible wallets, and everyone likes a good one.

By: angry modem

angry modem — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:54:42 -0800

Tell him that you valued him as a coworker for the last few years and that the office won't be the same. Then give him a big wet sloppy kiss.