I put $5 in the retirement gift fund: am I cheap?
Editors' DilemmaOctober 28, 2026· Be the first to vote
A story made up by our editors to get the debate going, not a real account.
My side
A coworker from another department is retiring. I mostly see her at the coffee machine. An online collection goes around, no amount mentioned. I chip in $5 on the first day, with a nice little note. Two days later, the organizer posts in the floor’s group chat: “We’re aiming for $20 a person to get her an e-bike.” Then, the day before the party: “Thanks to everyone who played along. Some were a little light, but oh well.” Everyone knows who gave what, since the collection page shows the amounts. I messaged her privately that nothing had been announced when I gave. She left me on read.
Their side
She explains that she picked the gift counting on the whole floor pitching in, and that in the end she was $60 short, which she paid out of her own pocket. According to her, everyone knows the usual amount for a send-off at this company. And her message wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular: if I felt targeted, maybe it’s because I knew.
So, who's wrong?
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