rant

I don't know what the general consensus usually is, but generally, I feel that a birthday present would be one or a combination of some of the following:

1. Something the receiver wants but can't afford
2. Something the receiver wants but have yet to purchase
3. Something the receiver likes and thinks would be nice to have, but doesn't like it enough to get it for him/herself
4. Something the giver thinks that the receiver would like/use/want
5. Something that has a distinct/special meaning between the giver and receiver

So no, I wasn't impressed to be presented with a grocery item that is easily available to me, as a birthday gift. Which wouldn't have mattered if it was done so in a nice manner actually, but no, it was "presented" to me like this:

~ after a meal ~

A: By the way, that fish was your birthday present.

Me: Oh, okay. Thanks! 

I think it's safe to say that the following episode added insult to the injury:

~ 2 weeks later ~

Me - Shows photograph of dish I made with some of the leftover fish

A: You ate all my fish.

Me: Haha wasn't it my birthday present? In any case, there's still some left.

A: What? You thought both slabs (there were 2) were your presents? 

Me: Oh.. I thought so, yes, cos 1 slab would've been quite sad (Not even bothering to bring up that receiving a goddamn raw fish for a birthday present is lame to say the least).

A: For goodness sake, please be grateful. If you don't like it we just won't celebrate at all in future.

Somehow this episode resulted in me apologising for having hurt A's feelings for being "ungrateful". In all honesty, I am just reeling from A's sheer audacity. Having been the recipient of years and years of whinging and whining about how my presents to A on similar occasions were "insufficient" and "unthoughtful", despite having spent a large amount of time, effort and money on them... This episode strikes too close to the bone. 

Okay I'm so sure that it took you a lot of time, effort and money to buy a slab of fish. Thank you.