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Knife Gift
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Anonymous
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What does it mean if someone you have a very conflicted, tension filled professional / business relationship with gives you a knife as a "thank you" gift at the end of a long project and tapes a penny to it.
Is giving a knife really an appropriate gift? Are you supposed to give the penny back? Is this a test to see if you want to sever the working relationship? Any ideas...this is bizarre! |
Anonymous
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Wikipedia says this:
A common belief is that if a knife is given as a gift, the relationship of the giver and recipient will be severed. Something such as a small coin, dove or a valuable item is exchanged for the gift, rendering "payment." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife |
Anonymous
If that is true, I'd probably give it to HR. That is an inappropriate way to communicate in the workplace, and my guess is that the co-workers don't get to decide not to deal with each other. They are employees who are expected to work together. |
Anonymous
| It sounds like your co-worker is extending an olive branch and that you are supposed to give the penny back. |
Anonymous
| I think the co-worker is trying to be a jerk, but will fall back on "I was just joking" if confronted. |
Anonymous
| give the penny back and ask for a quarter, times have changed inflation and all |
Anonymous
I agree with this. OP, you may be reading some deeper symbolism into the gift than was meant. And even if your co-worker intended some deeper symbolism, your best response is to just accept the gift with earnest thanks, since that will completely deflate any hidden jibe. FWIW, you are supposed to give the penny back. Indeed, many stores routinely attach pennies to any gift knives they sell, in recognition of the superstition. (If your co-worker really meant the knife as an insult, she'd have taken the penny off!) Just let it go. |
Anonymous
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The gift was accepted with thanks...it wasn't opened in front of the co-worker so no idea it was a knife until it was opened at home. Just wasn't sure if there is supposed to be a response...or give the penny back...or if there is meaning to it. I had read the wikipedia link but wasn't sure what this meant in the workplace or what the proper response was.
Never been given a knife by a coworker before! |
Anonymous
| watch your back? |
Anonymous
I hope not! Still not clear on why someone would give a co-worker a knife as a gift. I usually give chocolates! |
Anonymous
| It was probably re-gifted. |
Anonymous
| Lucky for your co-worker you still have things to lose. |