Dorky bike gifts from clueless people

[KSH]

Doesn't really bother me too much but he totally wasted his money, and he often talks of not having enough money anymore.

I was thinking about returning it. It's a $20 item

Well, he didn't really break the bank on this one. Honestly, for a cycling related item, it was pretty inexpensive.

[Aint Doody]

Lisa, I might want the basket for my old Schwinn 5 speed that lives at our store. I run to the bank, PO, accountant on her. I've had her since 1973, and I put some pictures of her in another post. The basket on her is sorta smashed--happened when I moved from Mississippi to Oregon. Sooooo if nobody else wants her, I'll happily take it. And I'll even pay for the shipping. If you change your mind, that's OK.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dood,
Do you think you have a good spot on your stem in front to attach the bracket/band gizmo?

[Kitsune06]

I suppose I need to preface this post with the statement that this is my personal opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. The gift should be taken with the sincerity with which it was given. If he really, genuinely expected you to love and adore that basket, then the basket itself is not the gift- it's merely a physical manifestation of that very real love for you. However, if it was a fun gag gift, then sure, play along, give it away, use it as a white elephant gift, whatever...
But it really, really bugs me when people cannot accept things graciously OR when they do so but turn around and say to others "Can you BELIEVE this...?" It's a simple lack of real respect and a shallow action in general.
My suggestion would be to thank him and use it as a part of a bike-related decoration in your house. Let it hold a floral bouquet, potpourri, or various woollens.
I ask everyone to retain their grace and tact this year, in light of others cluelessness and dorkdom. If they bother to get you anything at all, it means they care about you.
End of story. Get over it. You're not a child. Lucky, because an unappreciative child is generally regarded as 'spoiled'.
Some peoples' children...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hmmm...having a bad hair day?

[Triskeliongirl]

I suppose I need to preface this post with the statement that this is my personal opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. The gift should be taken with the sincerity with which it was given. If he really, genuinely expected you to love and adore that basket, then the basket itself is not the gift- it's merely a physical manifestation of that very real love for you. However, if it was a fun gag gift, then sure, play along, give it away, use it as a white elephant gift, whatever... :

I hestitated posting to this one, but I agree. I also find it interesting that you are over-reacting so much. I think what's got your gourd is that he doesn't get why you prefer a lugged steel rivendell over a carbon racing bike. But part of not getting it is thinking the basket suits the bike. But I don't think he is trying to put you down, I think he is just doing his best to give you a gift he thought you would like. I second the idea of making it into a decoration, it could hold flowers, mail, all sorts of things. Just my 2 cents.

[Kitsune06]

Hmmm...having a bad hair day?

No, just finding a lack of understanding uncomfortably chafing my christmassy goodwill. I'm sure you understand.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

...I think what's got your gourd is that he doesn't get why you prefer a lugged steel rivendell over a carbon racing bike....I second the idea of making it into a decoration, it could hold flowers, mail, all sorts of things. Just my 2 cents.

What gets my gourd is not that he doesn't "get" my bike, but that he can't be bothered to spend the time talking to me for long enough to get ME. He engages in one way conversations that get abruptly terminated as soon as HE is done talking with a "Well I gotta go now!"
I certainly can't expect anyone to understand the background of my brother's behavior because I didn't elaborate on it. Suffice it to say he has "issues" that push people away.

I do appreciate the suggestions of using the basket as a decorative or practical item in my house, but again speaking honestly, I don't like or use baskets as decoration or as containers. I feel it would be better to give it to someone would would like it and could actually use it.
And again, as I said before, I will thank him politely for the gift, but I would have to be honest and tell him if he asks that it wouldn't fit on my bike in any case (which is true), and that I gave it to someone who could use it.

[Bluetree]

At least your family members make an effort!

My brother never understood me at all. But after years of apparel that was ugly or didn't fit, CDs that sucked, a baby car seat (I don't have kids), plastic plants, a fur hat (in California?), a tote bag with spongy faces that laughed when you pressed them, a giant gong (don't ask) and PC software (I'm on a Mac), dear old bro now gives me the Same Old Thing every year, just like clockwork... a $100 gift certificate to Nordstrom.

He still doesn't "get" me and probably never will, but I'll go shopping any day.

[Trekhawk]

At least your family members make an effort!

My brother never understood me at all. But after years of apparel that was ugly or didn't fit, CDs that sucked, a baby car seat (I don't have kids)

LOL - a baby car seat and no kids - now that would seem a little weird.

Kitsune - I love your Xmas spirit.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Kitsune - I love your Xmas spirit.

Indeed, grace and tact are qualities we should all exhibit.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My brother never understood me at all. But after years of apparel that was ugly or didn't fit, CDs that sucked, a baby car seat (I don't have kids), plastic plants, a fur hat (in California?), a tote bag with spongy faces that laughed when you pressed them, a giant gong (don't ask) and PC software (I'm on a Mac), dear old bro now gives me the Same Old Thing every year, just like clockwork... a $100 gift certificate to Nordstrom.

Ok, those are some REALLY WEIRD gifts!!!

[snapdragen]

+1!

I suppose I need to preface this post with the statement that this is my personal opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. The gift should be taken with the sincerity with which it was given. If he really, genuinely expected you to love and adore that basket, then the basket itself is not the gift- it's merely a physical manifestation of that very real love for you. However, if it was a fun gag gift, then sure, play along, give it away, use it as a white elephant gift, whatever...
But it really, really bugs me when people cannot accept things graciously OR when they do so but turn around and say to others "Can you BELIEVE this...?" It's a simple lack of real respect and a shallow action in general.
My suggestion would be to thank him and use it as a part of a bike-related decoration in your house. Let it hold a floral bouquet, potpourri, or various woollens.
I ask everyone to retain their grace and tact this year, in light of others cluelessness and dorkdom. If they bother to get you anything at all, it means they care about you.
End of story. Get over it. You're not a child. Lucky, because an unappreciative child is generally regarded as 'spoiled'.
Some peoples' children...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What does "+1!" mean?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

But it really, really bugs me when people cannot accept things graciously OR when they do so but turn around and say to others "Can you BELIEVE this...?" It's a simple lack of real respect and a shallow action in general....
...I ask everyone to retain their grace and tact this year, in light of others cluelessness and dorkdom. If they bother to get you anything at all, it means they care about you.
End of story. Get over it. You're not a child. Lucky, because an unappreciative child is generally regarded as 'spoiled'.
Some peoples' children...

You have some good points. We should NEVER complain about a present that is inappropriate that we will never use. However as human beings we sometimes can't resist, and I suspect I am neither the first nor the last to complain about an odd holiday gift.
But if you're going to berate someone for their lack of respect, grace, and tact, then perhaps it would be more effective if you demonstrated those same qualities in your message. There were many ways to say the same thing in a more polite, kind, and friendly way, and doing that would have demonstrated the kind of holiday spirit I believe you were trying to convey.

Indeed I am not a child, I've been around the block a few times, my young friend. In general, I don't think of myself as a bitter complaining person, but rather I try hard every day of my life to be usually positive, considerate and thoughtful.

Many are the threads on this forum where we biking sisters can feel free to complain once and a while about things that irk us- an LBS or clueless bike salesman, our difficult family members, crazed drivers, snobbish roadies, partners or relationships that are frustrating us, crappy merchandise, lousy jobs and obnoxious bosses, cheap holiday bonuses, poor service. Mostly I see that this does not result in being compared to an unappreciative spoiled child and being told to "Get over it."
I thought long and hard before I wrote this, and I wrote it carefully because i didn't want to seem rude, but my feelings were hurt by your harse words and I felt I needed to express that in order to feel better.

Hoping all TE women have a holiday full of hope and joy....
Lisa