Yermaw@lemm.ee 2 days ago
At the risk of doing some kind of ism, it’s weird that normal people do it.
I can see the merit giving them to someone who is a drug addict or otherwise mentally enfeebled so they can get the gift with a little more agency with less risk of them spending it unwisely.
OmegaMouse@pawb.social 2 days ago
I think it’s mostly social convention - i.e. sometimes it’s not the ‘done thing’ to give someone money as it shows a lack of thoughtfulness perhaps. Gift cards are stopgap that make it look like you’ve put some effort into a gift.
hitmyspot@aussie.zone 2 days ago
They allow the recipient choice. However, they have a lot of downsides too. I bet gift cards from my in laws all the time. They generally go unused as are often for places I don’t visit, so it’s more like an obligation to go spend time and buy a present from a shop I don’t really like. However, it’s the thought that counts, so I don’t begrudge it, nor do I waste my time.
OmegaMouse@pawb.social 2 days ago
Couldn’t you ask them to give you gift cards for places you might visit?
hitmyspot@aussie.zone 1 day ago
Yes, but kind of defeats the purpose. And let’s them know I didn’t like the other gifts.