How far would you go to impress someone? One netizen recently shared a hilarious yet relatable office story about a colleague who went to extreme lengths to woo a female co-worker—so much so that he roped in others to chip in for an expensive birthday gift! The story, posted on the Facebook page “Boom Go Employee,” struck a chord with many office workers who have felt the pressure of forced gift-giving.
Here’s what happened: Back in 2019, a male colleague developed a crush on the company’s HR lady. During lunch one day, she casually mentioned admiring a Marshall speaker but dismissed buying it because it was too pricey. Seizing the opportunity, the guy decided to surprise her with that very speaker for her birthday.
A week later, he asked other colleagues to contribute to the gift’s cost. One netizen shared how he was reluctant to participate since he barely knew the HR lady and she had never wished him a happy birthday or given him gifts. When he asked why he had to chip in, the guy insisted it was “part of office camaraderie” since she had helped make birthday posters for staff.
The speaker reportedly cost around RM300, which the contributor said equaled two weeks of his meals. Despite the pressure, he reluctantly transferred the money, only to later find out that six years on, the guy never ended up dating the HR lady—who has since left the company. Meanwhile, the guy remained single and still works there.
This story sparked conversations about the hidden “extra expenses” in office life—like weddings, farewells, or birthday parties—that often come with social pressure to participate. Many people admit it’s tough to refuse contributions for colleagues they barely know, fearing they might be seen as stingy or not part of the team.
It raises an important question: In the workplace, do gifts truly represent goodwill, or are they just another social obligation? Is it worth stretching yourself financially just to maintain appearances? What do you think?
