and still look pristine. I read most books before I send them to my daughter. She expects it. She knows when I send her a book I'm sharing a friend with her.
My husband was appalled when UPS brought a Jeffrey Deaver book. He ask if it was his sister and I replied yes. He told me to wrap it before it got damaged. Ha! But then again now I'm feeling a tad guilty about sending her a used book. Even lightly used sounds like buying a new car but it has several hundred miles on it.
I know in the scheme of things if this is my biggest dilemma of the holidays then I'm a fool for letting this bother me too much.
I guess I could always get the book at the library. But then again I can have it read by the time I need to wrap it and give it to her. Hmm, I think I'll go thumb through it while I wait to take a vote on how many of you think I'm tacky.
2007-12-21 07:41:41 · 33 answers · asked by Southern Comfort 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I thought I was the only one who did that! I see nothing wrong with it - you bought if for someone because you thought they would like it, and then, there it is, right in front of you, and you're a bibliophile, and you hear it begging you to read it. As long as you didn't damage it in any way, what's the problem?! Good books were meant to be shared.
2007-12-21 10:51:32 · answer #1 · answered by Mountain Girl 4 · 2⤊ 5⤋
She may have been making a joke, or perhaps she is trying to send a message. It really doesn't matter, does it? You are living life to the fullest, and are happy the way you are. You do not have to justify yourself to any of them. Choose your battlegrounds. Is this worth confronting? Or can you just ignore it? Deciding when and where to confront and deflect will be with you for a while. Not much you can do to make it go away, as well intentioned busy-bodies will pursue this in a variety of ways. You will have a bit of satisfaction, as you go along and their perfect marriages/partners dissolve into anarchy, divorce and custody battles. Float with it....you are doing fine and don't need anyone's help~
2016-05-25 08:13:11 · answer #2 · answered by garnet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a thing about new books. If I am giving one as a gift, I never read it first. I don't think reading it is tacky, but I don't know how the recipient feels about it. If your daughter doesn't mind, then it is okay. And I agree, it is like sharing a friend, especially if it is a really good book.
Enjoy!
2007-12-21 08:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by mydearsie 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Just me.....not wrong....not even sure it's rude....there's just something special being the first to break the binding of a new book. When I give it as a gift I want them to have that pleasure first. Otherwise they'd ask to borrow it or I'd lend it.
Even at Barnes and Noble....I go to the bottom of the stack or ask they open a new box to make sure the binding hasn't been cracked. I know it's wierd....but there's a smell to a new book when it's been opened. Yet I also cherisn those books who are dog earred and worn because it's ment so much to people.
2007-12-21 09:24:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well, it kind of depends. In my family everyone knows I am a voracious reader. Books on my favorite subjects -- used or new -- are welcome gifts. Plus my family knows I recycle a lot of my used books by passing them along.
However, if you are giving a gift and are unsure of how the person might react to used vs new I would go with the new every time. If you don't know someone well enough I would follow the conservative route.
Bottom line is: It's the thought that counts. They thought enough of you to give you a good book...that's way cool and it should be appreciated as such, used or new being substantially irrelevant. However, I know not everyone would think that way. When in doubt go the conservative route; give new.
2007-12-21 07:53:00 · answer #5 · answered by cataraft_2000 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Southern Comfort - I buy books for my friends too - but I do not read them first. I do think that that is TACKY! However, after a while, when I know that the book has probably been read, I do ask if I may borrow it (if they do not mind that is)!
CJ
2007-12-21 15:12:57 · answer #6 · answered by CJ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I bought my son a book from Amazon.com but not from them they have under used books that look brand new and I got him one. He didn't know. When you hit used books you will find that you can get even NEW books at really discounted amount. In this day and age when I'm sitting in 69 degree heating to conserve the cost I don't think it is tacky to send a used book!!
So I say thumb away!!lol!xoxo
2007-12-21 10:22:14 · answer #7 · answered by Meeshmai 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Yes it is rude and tacky !!! If I am interested in reading a book I give as a gift I tell the recipient that I would like too borrow it to read when they are through !!!
2007-12-21 08:11:05 · answer #8 · answered by Diana 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Just don't read it in the tub. If it's family , it shouldn't be that big of a deal . It's always nice to discuss the book with others that have read it. If anyone complains, blame it on menopause, lol!!!
2007-12-21 15:22:06 · answer #9 · answered by Donna 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nonesence! I'd love to have a book from someone who actually read it... That same book! Oh your right it would be like sharing a friend, an experience almost! Your not tacky... That's Rubbish! Your daughter knows you love books too, I think that's awesome, and she must too! Don't loose your chips in the pages and it'll be fine. =) Merry Christmas!
2007-12-21 07:49:41 · answer #10 · answered by GOT2NO 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
Now really....would you really give a gift, before you knew for sure that the person you sent it to, would like it?
How could you even discuss the book with them, if you had not read it.....I think you are a very thoughtful gift giver....:)
and besides....I see people reading the books at Barnes and Nobles all the time...people still buy them, read or unread....
2007-12-21 08:00:23 · answer #11 · answered by kayboff 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋