Comments on: Dreading the Envelope

By: Don’t Feed the Alligators » Blog Archive » Weekly Feeding 8-23-2008

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:40:08 +0000

[...] Almost Large writes about Dreading the Envelope — you know, the one that gets passed at work when someone has a baby or something like [...]

By: Frugal Babe » Archive » Carnival Of Personal Finance

Frugal Babe » Archive » Carnival Of Personal Finance — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:20:27 +0000

[...] Almost Large has a post about the envelope. You know the one… it gets passed around at work whenever someone is sick, getting married, [...]

By: Get Rich Or Die Trying » Blog Archive » Posts Of Interest

Get Rich Or Die Trying » Blog Archive » Posts Of Interest — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:43:53 +0000

[...] Dreading The Envelope @ LivingAlmostLarge – A tough scenario… how much do you give in that envelope that gets passed around at work? [...]

By: LivingAlmostLarge

LivingAlmostLarge — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:37:13 +0000

I’ve found that in an department of 30-40 it is small yet large enough to look bad. And unforutunately looking bad is always the name of the game.

I’ve found that living on the East Coast people are more into “appearances” at work. Out on the West Coast people are more casual about baby showers, weddings, etc. They don’t go so far at work it’s more a casual family/friend thing.

I gotta wonder if it’s just all the “proper” behavior?

By: dogatemyfinances

dogatemyfinances — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:44:01 +0000

One of the things I love about my job is that we all make big bucks, so we just get rid of this whole stupid dance.

The only exception is one guy rode in a big charity bike ride, and he put up a sponsorship page thing by the bathroom. He raised a couple thousand, but only about 10 people signed up, there was certainly no pressure–and it was for charity.

In an office culture where this kind of envelope passing is common, just wait until Christmas time. Wheee!

By: GrnMtnGirl

GrnMtnGirl — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:06:35 +0000

I think it’s inappropriate in the workplace to shakedown other workers for money. IT becomes competitive and wrong. It’s a great post by you because it’s an issue we encounter several times a year between my husband and I. If we know the person well enough to gift to them we’ll give our own card and gift. We don’t contribute to baby funds, marriage funds or personal CAUSES at work on principle.

It’s not in the budget is a perfectly valid excuse. We have enough in our budget to pay for (including gifts for family and close friends for life events). But it’s a very awkward situation to be in!

By: Prince of Thrift

Prince of Thrift — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:57:50 +0000

I find it interesting people pass an envelope/hat for people having babies at their workplaces, because I have never seen it happen anywhere I have worked over the last 20 some years.

The only time I see it happen where I work is when they collect money at Christmas to buy the manager and assistant manager a Christmas present.

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:50:40 +0000

I would say $5-10 would be appropriate in this situation. I’ve had moments where I’ve felt pressured and had someone standing over me with the envelope and card for someone I barely knew, so I simply said that I would probably give my own little gift but thanks for thinking to include me. Small white lie… but no one should feel pressured to give up their lunch money!

By: Wednesday Wrap-up-The Third | Penny For My Thoughts

Wednesday Wrap-up-The Third | Penny For My Thoughts — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:21:29 +0000

[...] Living Almost Large discusses the donation envelope at work [...]

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:10:27 +0000

I would have said $20 too because I don’t want people to think my DH is cheap either. We pack lunches and rarely eat out. Because we save our money other ways, so that sort of once in a while expense isn’t so bad– especially since there are only 4 peopele in his office. If he works with 100 people, that would be a different story .