Last month, I was visiting a friend in California. During this time, she was invited to the wedding of two gay friends, and since I was in the area at the time, I also was invited. I didn't know the two people getting married, but since I was also invited, I felt it appropriate to bring a gift.
This was the first time I attended a gay wedding and I'm not much up on the culture. Anyways, when we arrived, I placed my gift on the table with the other gifts. Nobody paid any notice, but later in the ceremony when it came time to acknowledge gifts, my gift made quite a stir. Apparently the two gentlemen getting married didn't appreciate the gift of two gerbils that I'd brought, and started going ballistic. Fortunately I didn't leave a tag on the gift, so nobody realized it was me.
Is this really that big of a deal?
2006-10-30 07:51:03 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
yeah it is...why would you give anybody pet gerbils for a wedding gift? You knew exactly what you were doing and you should have been graceful and just declined the invitation instad of being rude. Would you give pet gerbils to a man and woman who were marrying? I don't think so.
Also, by not putting a gift tag on you were showng what a coward you were. Why not own up to it??
2006-10-30 07:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by Katie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting. In Australia if someone asks you to go for a coffee, it's the ultimate 'definitely not a date' invitation! It's fascinating how similar and yet so different a lot of these customs are! Yeah, I know that's not helpful to you ~ well unless you move to Australia, but imo your predicament is interesting. Maybe next time you see that girl you could mention you had a coffee with so-and-so the other day, in such a way as to show it was a purely social event, NOT a romantic occasion ~ sort of tell her indirectly? To just say "I wasn't asking you out" seems a little churlish and perhaps even confrontational, especially as she may get a bit defensive. Good luck :-)
2016-05-22 12:12:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leaving the gay part out this was not an appropriate gift for a wedding period.
2006-10-30 11:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by laedeb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES! Why in the world would you give someone gerbils! First of all you NEVER give anyone live pets as a gift! Second of all haven't you heard the stupid thing about gays using gerbils as sex toys! It was probably VERY insulting to them. If I were you I would send them an anaymous letter apologizing and telling them that you were unaware of the meaning of it, and if you knew about it you should be very ashamed of yourself!
2006-10-30 07:57:35 · answer #4 · answered by April M 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Mickey Q - You're a jerk.
If you really did this - which kind of I doubt - I find it hard to believe that you "weren't up on the culture" - as you knew enough about the urban legends! And all you really needed to be up on was kindness and manners. You're obviously not up on those either!
Yep - you really are a jerk.
2006-10-30 08:18:35 · answer #5 · answered by liddabet 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's no way you could have put that gift down without someone noticing. your story is bullshit, just trying to get a reaction out of people. Are you that desperate for attention?
2006-10-30 08:50:55 · answer #6 · answered by nikki 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
not sure you are serious here ?
of course it was a faux-pas !
you never give pets as a wedding gift and i guess you knew that .......
yes it was a big deal !especially since you left your name off the gift ! it makes me think you had a purpose behind it .
did you ?
it was crude !and NO class ............
2006-10-30 08:19:20 · answer #7 · answered by HJW 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
who gives gerbils as wedding gifts? good thing you didn't leave a tag. lol
how would you like to receive a rooster as a wedding gift?
2006-10-30 07:55:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't get it... Gerbils may not be the best gift, but why go ballistic over it? Am I missing something?
2006-10-30 07:55:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
I think everyone thinks you're being serious. You might want to let them off the hook. Mr. Gere says hi.
2006-10-30 08:09:18 · answer #10 · answered by Rocker Chick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋