Dear Blake,
I have a post Valentine’s Day question for you… sort of. My boyfriend and I had to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Thursday due to his job, he had to go out of town Friday for about a week. He surprised me with a very sweet, very neat, thoughtful and creative (I thought) gift. He said he wanted to do something original, and something from the heart. I was deeply, deeply touched that he had put something together that was so cool and “out of the box.” Friday, I overheard a woman in my office describing word for word the unusual present I received. I was shocked. I learned that this cute, one-of-a-kind idea of his was not original. The message was copied word-for-word from an e-mail that has been circulated on the internet. I still think the idea is sweet, and I’m still touched and grateful that he took the time to do something for me, but I’m bothered that he passed it off as original, because it was totally ripped-off. Do I call him on it, or keep my mouth shut?
Signed, Joi
From Carson City, Nevada
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Dear Joi,
I know how important it is for a woman to feel that her man put his heart and soul into his acknowledgement of her on Valentine’s Day. I also know how important it is for a woman to belittle her man’s choice of gifts for her, no matter what he gets. If he would’ve bought you the most expensive Hallmark card in the store, your mindset suggests to me that not only would you be mad at him because someone else wrote it, you probably would’ve criticized the penmanship of his signature. If he sent you a dozen roses, you would’ve said that has been done to death. If he sent you more than a dozen, you would’ve said he’s dishonoring a tradition. And if he sent you less than a dozen, you would’ve called him a cheapskate. But, you have overlooked one very important thing which is, the possible motive of the woman at your office. I’ve seen enough soap operas in the past, that suggests to me that woman wanted you to hear what she said about the gift, and she probably knows your boyfriend on a level that might make you feel a little comfortable. You said your boyfriend is going out of town for about a week and it’s “work related”. If that same women is gone next week too, don’t be surprised if four months from now, she walks passed you wearing a sadistic sneer and a maternity top. But fortunately for you, there are plenty of skilled lawyers that specialize in defending clients that are accused of workplace violence. I hope this helps.
Blake