The holidays, specially Christmas is the time of giving, so the popular saying goes. I have been asked so many times during Christmas by relatives and even random neighbors back in my home town, “Where’s my gift?”, like I am obligated to give them every year just because I live and work abroad.
When I was still a student in Japan, I look forward to coming home every December for Christmas but whenever I go out, random neighbors whom I don’t even know (they only know either my father or mother) would ask me Christmas gifts and they pout if I just stare at them blankly and call me Scrooge. So I rarely go out of the house, afraid to bump on to people who have faulty eye sights and see me as the fat man in red suit shouting ho, ho, ho.
Looking back, I had long become Santa every year. I gave out things and gifts to my family, never expecting anything in return. On Christmas this year, just a few days ago, some relatives called and grumpily asked for their Christmas presents. I answered differently this time, “How about mine?”
“But you have everything already!”, came the expected reply.
I don’t know what made them think I have everything. If I have, then I would not be working 6 days a week. I would be home wrapping presents for them.
A simple Christmas card or email greeting or the cheaper SMS would have made me happy. A gift does not necessarily mean expensive or bought or wrapped. It’s the thought that counts.
jahon (5)
Grace (4)
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I can SO relate to that! A lot of people back home seem to think that we’re overseas picking moolah up off the streets. They fail to realize that we work our asses off & suffer through homesickness just to earn a good living. And we don’t even get a text message from them!
Candy’s last blog post..Another meme: Friday’s Feast
I am shocked that ANYONE let alone random neighbors say things like that to you! Even when my five year old says something like that to grandparents at Christmas or her birthday she get eye darts from me! It’s rude and I don’t want her to start feeling entitiled!
I’m sorry that people are so immature and whiney. If we were friends I wouldn’t ask. Promise.
Cecily’s last blog post..Randoms FRom the GiRls and Dinosaur Weddings
I have never experienced that, Grace, and I can honestly say that if someone were to ask me that question, I would look at them as if they had sprouted another head and say to them, “You’re joking, right?”
I think when people here that you live abroad (from wherever home might be), they think that that means you have lots of money. It’s a common misconception, one I think that exists because some people can’t fathom the idea of living abroad for the experience.
Desert Songbird’s last blog post..Saturday/Sunday Silliness
I like the way you asked for your gift in return. Those who have never been out of their homeland tend to think that the pasture is always greener in another country. They do not understand the adaptation and rebuilding hurdles that one has to go through to earn a living on foreign ground.
Happy New Year.
I can’t believe anyone would actually have the nerve to ask “where’s my gift.” THE NERVE! Seriously – are these normal adults asking you, or demented narcissists? I think in America, maybe we’re just more sly about it – maybe people actually do think that, but find other ways to get to their point? Anyway, I hope you never have guilt over those questions. Next time you can say, “don’t you know that it’s better to give than to receive?”
Jennifer in OR’s last blog post..Winter Fun
i totally relate to this! but i think you have a nicer attitude towards this insensitivity! when random people, who knows i’m from overseas, ask for gifts from me .. or pasalubong for that matter, i usually raise my eyebrows on them and totally ignore them.
Charlotte (Charmed Life)’s last blog post..Highlights of 2007
Wow. That’s shocking. They EXPECT gifts? That’s just not right
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