How to answer your friends / colleagues when you don't buy them gifts after holiday / work mission?

Hello All,


Everytime when I depart to other city or country, my company's colleagues always ask for gifts or small presents for them. As you know that we work for company and earn salary, how can we afford them everytime gifts. This is really upset me. I do not know how to answer them in a good way and not dissapoint them and must let them know i'm not petty but this is a matter of money. Thanks all.

How to answer your friends / colleagues when you don't buy them gifts after holiday / work mission?
Just tell them you didn't buy anything





Neither apologise nor explain
Reply:buy them all something really horrible next time you go which you know everyone will hate by be too polite to tell you - then they won't ask again!
Reply:Wow! That's pretty ballsey, ASKING for gifts!! Bad manners on their part should not be a cause for distress on yours!





The next time they ask you to bring something back, just smile and say, "Why, of course, if I have time to shop, I'd be happy to pick something up for you. Just drop your money off at my desk before I leave, and I'll bring you the change and a receipt."





If I went abroad or someplace interesting for a vacation, I'd usually bring back a little something for the office -- i.e., a trip to Switzerland meant a modest box of Swiss chocolates in the employee break-room. But it was a small office -- that would probably not work for a larger office.
Reply:OOOhhh... You have very good colleagues, they ask for gift everytime ? Really a problem. Your polite answer may be like this :'


"Oh, yes, I'll ask the Co. to arrange gifts for you..Ok ..."


Thanks
Reply:First of all, it's rude of them to expect gifts and ask you for them in the first place!! It's understandable if they want something, ask you to bring it back for them and then pay you.. but not to expect free gifts everytime. I think I would politely tell them that bringing back gifts everytime is becoming too costly and that you would be happy to do it for them if they would like to pick up the tab. Some people just like things from other countries, understandable, but they shouldn't expect it for free. Best Wishes!
Reply:wow i so understand first off dont ya think it realy rude to put you on the spot like that i wouldnt be to concerned about this if you cant aford it dont do it just say bluntly you cant aford it remeber the famliy comes first may be you should remind them of that
Reply:Just tell them I am going on holiday to have fun and shopping for souveniers is not fun. Or tell them I am going to work and wont have time for shopping, Sorry.
Reply:I agree with the 1st answer. I get the same question. I just say "no, sorry" in an active voice /assertive tone and I drop it. Some people understand that giving them any kind of explanation would mean you wanted to give gifts, but could not. So you are feeling guilty and trying to explain the reason behind the guilt.


Eventually, they will stop. For me, it stopped after 3-4 times.
Reply:okay,u tell them gifts choice will be urs,if they r ur true friends they will accept from choclate to a minute things.
Reply:Say " I regret that I was unable to do so, but I was short of funds for the trip."
Reply:Just say, "no, sorry" and drop it.
Reply:ur friends/colleagues are terrible. If u r in a work mission, tell them u r busy in working all the journey n no time to buy them gifts. If u r going to travel, tell them nothing about it. U hv the right to keep it as a secret, don't u? haha...
Reply:I can't imagine anyone asking you to bring them back a gift. Best thing I can suggest is that you tell them you'll be living on per diem while you're travelling and it doesn't afford shopping unless they provide funds up front.
Reply:can't you make a gift of some sort...otherwise just tell them your budget does'nt allow you the luxury of having enough to buy presents.
Reply:just say you didnt have the time.you do go for work right???there you go perfect excuse.you shouldnt feel bad.you dont go away just to get them gifts.
Reply:sorry, i should have sent a card but gifts are for kids.
Reply:This is a business trip and I won't be buying souvenirs.


This is a relaxation holiday a break for me I won't be buying any souvenirs, just getting some sun and some fancy drinks. I'll think of you when I'm there.