Can men buy good presents? Anne Robinson gives her verdict
From bread bins to bizarre sculptures, our agony aunt on why some men never seem to get gift-giving right.
Emmanuel Wiemans
From bread bins to bizarre sculptures, our agony aunt on why some men never seem to get gift-giving right.
If I am honest, my husband has never been very good at birthday presents, but since he retired, they have reached a new low. One year I got a sat nav for our car, and another year it was a bread bin.
This year, I decided to put in a request as I needed a new pair of swimming headphones, but what I got was a packet of cashew nuts and a very small potted primrose from our local garage.
Our daughter had offered to help him choose the headphones, but he declined. It’s hard not to take it personally, particularly as I’m still working full-time and he has plenty of time to shop. Why are some people great present buyers and others so appalling? Is he a lost cause?
I don’t wish to dampen your optimism, but I have never thought men were adequately designed to buy suitable presents for women. It’s as if a bit of important technology is missing. Let me count the ways that have led me to this conclusion.
A truly ugly Nordic sculpture; a bright blue plastic bowl you plug in, fill with water and then soak your feet; books I already own; a teak garden lounger for someone who never sunbathes; at least three orchids for a woman who had never ever shown the slightest interest in owning an orchid.
Need I continue? Oh yes, I must. Because best of all was a mid-20th century painting of two huge fat men with their arms round one another. Each naked except for wearing what looks like a bright red nappy. It is called Cumberland Wrestlers.
A rather good picture, actually, but one that screams, ‘Present for a bloke’. It was this picture that made me twig that perhaps men can buy a present. But only when they are choosing something they want themselves.
Your unsuitable collection includes a sat nav, cashew nuts and a pot plant from the local garage. Enough! You have asked your daughter to help your husband with his choice, but he’s refused to listen.
I can only suggest you buy your headphones for swimming, wrap them up for his next birthday and see if he might just work it out.
If you have a problem for Anne Robinson email her at Ask Annie askannie@saga.co.uk
All emails are treated in confidence.
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