What to Do When You Receive a Gift You Don't Want

[Danger]

What, Evo... no mention of chocolate?!

she always makes long lists of what she wants to have an distributes it to the families.

Sounds like quite a *****. It's understandable when a little kid makes a list for Santa, but there's no excuse for adults demanding things. I don't ever want anything for my birthday; having one at all is punishment enough. W always makes a huge deal out of it, though.
My own mother never remembered my birthday until a couple of days late (once I hit my teens). This year she actually mentioned it in advance to my cousin, but I couldn't get into the city to see her. (She's 96 and residing in an assisted-living facility.)

 

[turbo]

I have a pretty good guess at what you'll be buying yourself for your birthday. I'm a '.45 in a Colt/Browning action' guy myself.

Whoah! Get out to the range and see if you can audition a Glock Model 20. You'll be a believer! When the model debuted, it was touted as a way to up-arm the cops against criminals that were getting more and more potent handguns. Problem is, it's too much for many people to handle and cops were failing to qualify with the pistol. My wife loves shooting 9mm, .38, and .357 mag pistols, but she found her limit with the Model 20. It's like a .45 ACP on steroids.

 

[Danger]

Whoah! Get out to the range and see if you can audition a Glock Model 20.

I'd have no problem with the calibre, but I really love the Colt style. It just fits my hand as if it was part of me. I might like the Glock, but haven't had the opportunity to hold one.
As for the power... I think that I related this in a previous thread, but I'll repeat it. Before I bought my Super Blackhawk (7 1/2" S/A .44 Magnum), I'd read an article in either 'Shooting Times' or 'Guns and Ammo' in which some huge guy (about 6'3"/200+lbs.) was whining about how badly a .44 hurt him when he fired it. The first rounds from mine were laid out one-handed by my best friend's 15-year-old sister and she didn't even flinch.
I didn't like it for social situations, though, because it was a bit difficult to conceal and too heavy to get on target quickly. The bloody thing would drive nails at 100 yards from a rest.

 

[turbo]

The Model 20 is not for everyone. I have small hands and short fingers, but really good hand-strength (guitar-playing and manual labor can do that) so I have no problem handling the Model 20. The problem for most people seems to be the fatness of the grip - it's hard to get 15 large rounds stacked in a staggered magazine without getting a bit chunky. Still, it's a wonderful package. The barrel is tucked 'way down near the grip, so that loss of sight-picture due to recoil is minimized. Don't try to shoot that rascal with straight elbows. Get used to the recoil and time the pull-down to regain sight-picture. The standard model 20 sights are fantastic for quick acquisition.

 

[Danger]

The problem for most people seems to be the fatness of the grip - it's hard to get 15 large rounds stacked in a staggered magazine without getting a bit chunky. Don't try to shoot that rascal with straight elbows. Get used to the recoil and time the pull-down to regain sight-picture.

I need a fairly narrow grip. Unfortunately, Canadian law restricts a semi-auto to 10 rounds maximum. I always carried my .45 (Llama IX) condition one: 6 in the mag and one in the spout, cocked and locked. It was about 1/4 second from the holster to dropping the hammer, dependent upon what I was wearing (I carried it to the right in the small of my back, so shirts and jackets had a lot to do with it.)
I'd never shoot anything with straight elbows. Weaver or turret stance for me.
Before any fellow Canucks point out that no one outside of law enforcement is allowed to carry a handgun, I'm well aware and that is why I have a criminal record and no guns. I'm eligible to own them again, but can't afford any.

 

[Math Is Hard]

I've missed a lot of the conversation. I came straight to this page and was beginning to think Glock made a cell phone.

 

[turbo]

Before any fellow Canucks point out that no one outside of law enforcement is allowed to carry a handgun, I'm well aware and that is why I have a criminal record and no guns. I'm eligible to own them again, but can't afford any.

Maybe jimmy can help you out here. I traded an antique Winchester .38-50 rifle that I paid $250 for, for a Glock Model 20 (10mm auto) with a case, a loading tool, and 3 magazines. I did OK. jimmy might be able to get you a better deal from the republic of south new jersey...

 

[Danger]

Glock Model 20 (10mm auto) with a case, a loading tool, and 3 magazines. I did OK.

Holy crap! That would be close to $2,000 here!

There is a serious problem with importation, though. Although I carried illegally, the cops knew about it and knew whose side I was on, and my guns have always been properly registered. I'm not willing to do anything 'under the table'. If it's legit, though, I'll look into it when I find employment. There are other priorities right now.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Maybe jimmy can help you out here. I traded an antique Winchester .38-50 rifle that I paid $250 for, for a Glock Model 20 (10mm auto) with a case, a loading tool, and 3 magazines. I did OK. jimmy might be able to get you a better deal from the republic of south new jersey...

I feel like Charlton Heston. I tell one lousy joke and they want to make me President of the NRA. I don't actually own a gun. I fired a rifle once at a target and I shot skeet once. I hit the first three clay pigeons followed by 17 misses. My son is very interested in firearms. I never heard of a Glock so I asked him. Without hestitation he reeled off the facts that it is a small weapon, made of plastic and the inventor is Austrian. How'd he do?

 

[Danger]

How'd he do?

Nailed it.

I've missed a lot of the conversation. I came straight to this page and was beginning to think Glock made a cell phone.

Sorry, Sweetheart... I guess that we kind of thread-jacked you.

 

[Redbelly98]

Getting a pho-pho-phone isn't too bad, as unwanted gifts go.

Better than soap (yes I got soap once...what's up with that? I shower every day! OK, so it was "fancy" soap...foo-foo soap...but still...soap?!? You might as well give a nice engraved plaque saying, "Yeah, so I have no idea what to get you for your birthday.").

No no, soap is a much better unwanted gift. Toss it into the trash, then you just have to feign appreciation for a few months and it's over. "Hey Biff, I finally used up that soap you gave me". Plus, you can meet your friends somewhere, and they are not expecting you to be carrying the soap with you.

But a cell phone is (expected to be) with you for a long time. MIH will have to lug that thing out of the back of the closet and bring with her to Thanksgivings, Christmas dinners, and family weddings for years to come.

Poor, poor MIH. Our prayers are with you.

EDIT

I had a talk with Mom. . .

Hmmm, maybe I should try reading the entire thread before posting

 

[Danger]

Hmmm, maybe I should try reading the entire thread before posting

That doesn't seem to stop any of us; don't sweat it.

 

[GeorginaS]

Plus, you can meet your friends somewhere, and they are not expecting you to be carrying the soap with you.

What? You mean I did that all wrong buying a soap carrying container to put in my purse and everything? I'm never going to get this "life" thing figured out.

 

[neu]

A used footbath

 

[Math Is Hard]

A used footbath

You just read the thread title, didn't you?

 

[BobG]

A used footbath

You just read the thread title, didn't you?

Au contraire. A used footbath is an excellent place to accidently drop an unwanted cell phone.

Or, keep the phone and return the favor by giving your parents a used footbath as a gift. They'll quickly decide that exchanging gifts is passe.

At least a cell phone makes a better gift than a scarf: Hero saves car wash attendant from being strangled by Golden Nozzle

 

[neu]

That's also how Isadora Duncan died: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isadora_Duncan#Death

 

[BobG]

But that's the exception. Isadora Duncan's scarf was hand painted silk from the Russian-born artist Roman Chatov. If you have to be strangled, decapitated, and hurled to the pavement from a moving vehicle, that's a pretty fine scarf to be wearing for your last seconds alive on Earth.

I wonder how far she was dragged behind the car before the driver finally stopped.

 

[JasonRox]

I don't know why but everytime I scan the General Discussion I think it reads "Girls you don't want".

Personally, I don't like gifts that much. I don't like to buy them either. I got an iPod for Christmas and I basically gave it away. I gave it to my girlfriend's (now split) sister, and I enver asked for it back. Same with the digital camera I got (which my ex has now).

So many things I have, but I have no use for them. So, I let people borrow them and way they offer to give it back, I just tell them to keep it.

Best thing to do is not buy me a gift.

Now back to "girls you don't want"...

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

But that's the exception. Isadora Duncan's scarf was hand painted silk from the Russian-born artist Roman Chatov. If you have to be strangled, decapitated, and hurled to the pavement from a moving vehicle, that's a pretty fine scarf to be wearing for your last seconds alive on Earth.

I wonder how far she was dragged behind the car before the driver finally stopped.

That's how I'd like to go. In style. I hope it wasn't more than a few miles as I have sensitive skin.

 

[Redbelly98]

... I have sensitive skin.

I recommend sprinkling some talcum powder around your neck before donning the scarf. That way it won't chafe the skin while you are being strangled.