Speaking of gifting, I don't know what's appropriate for our apartment building manager in LA. In NY, it was pretty clear what we should tip the super. But here? Do people tip the resident manager?

I had the same question. I feel like people don't do that here in SF, but I actually have a pretty great super and want to give him at least something. I was thinking $50.

Listening to a streaming radio station that plays Muppets Christmas music.

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me ONE DELICIOUS COOOOKIE."

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me ONE DELICIOUS COOOOKIE."

"What kind of jive present is that, man?"

Someone wrote in to one of the advice columnists about gifting at work. She was young, in her first job, and living paycheck to paycheck. In her office they routinely collected $75 from each person for a gift for the boss and then, for a "Holiday Party" went out to a very expensive restaurant, at each individual's expense.

She couldn't afford it and the columnist advised her to just say no.

they routinely collected $75 from each person for a gift for the boss

Boss must be getting severely underpaid. I mean, if I got just one gift worth $75, I consider myself ahead of the game.

In her office they routinely collected $75 from each person for a gift for the boss and then, for a "Holiday Party" went out to a very expensive restaurant, at each individual's expense.

That is insanity. Hell no.

Just got back from lunch - it is snowing giant wet snowflakes. Very decorative.

But - if only I hadn't lost my hat.

What the hell were they getting the boss? That seems crazy, unless maybe the boss is an underpaid social worker whose supervisees were all volunteers with trust funds or something.

Holy shit, $75??? That's bananas. I don't spend that much on relatives.

My parents are lucky if I spend that much each on them--I sure as hell wouldn't spend that much on anyone else in my life.