Kamikaze Nurse

gift giving fucking sucks. I really wish it wasn't a thing, it gives me endless fucking anxiety. It gives me anxiety to receive things I didn't want and didn't need. and it gives me anxiety to try to look for things to buy for other people. also, frankly, in this economy it stresses me the fuck out financially too. I can manage decently to buy myself most things I need in my daily adult life, and even some of the things I want. But then you're expected to give not only birthday presents and christmas presents to other adults but also graduation gifts, "moving in" gifts, babyshower gifts, wedding gifts, baptism gifts etc for every fucking adult in your life. as well as gifts for the kids in your family when they have birthdays, graduations etc etc.... like the financial burden of the peer pressure and social stigma of it all fucking piles up??? and all these people could honestly just buy what each wanted instead of me trying to guess what they want because they're adults. gifts are nice when it is spontaneous and uncalled for in a "I saw this and thought of you" kind of way, not when it is done out of social obligation.

When I was walking to work today a dude biked past me, told me "your hair looks great!" without even stopping he just continued biking away, I barely had time to stutter out a surprised thank you. Honestly it made my day cause it felt like such a pure way to compliment someone. He started the compliment before he even had really seen my face because he came from behind me, so he didn't know with certainty how old I was or what my face looked like. And he didn't stop or demand my attention, and the intention wasn't to hit on me or get my number or make me feel uncomfortable in any way. It felt like the intention was just to make someone's day a little brighter and that's so lovely. It really stood out to me as the perfect example of how to compliment a stranger without making it weird or about wanting something from them. Thanks strange bike dude!