What a miserable twunt! :P
Just kidding - I know what you mean. I, personally, am quite happy to put my hand in my pocket when these things come around, presuming I have the spare quid to do so, but it is the sense that you absolutely MUST do this every time, otherwise your are scorned for it. Whatever happened to gratitude and personal choice, when putting your hand in your pocket was a gift rather than a requirement that people feel they can demand from you?

The hypocrisy of it all is that these same people will often be the same ones that will conveniently 'forget' to do the same when it comes to their turn to put their hand in their pocket, and they will almost certainly feel obliged and pressured, rather than doing something willingly out of their own generosity. It is like they've felt forced into it, so they will force others into it as well. If they had any respect for people, then they would respect their ability to choose whether to donate or contribute, based on what they believe in.
(Da' Vane, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:17, 1 reply)

I dislike the idea of forced friendship.
I have no problem with being professional, civil and courteous but if I do choose to be your friend it's up to me. There's a big drive at our work to be a happy social family and I'm not a fan. I quite like having solid lines between work and my private life.
( Slippery Mick ‏, Fri 24 Feb 2012, 17:24, closed)