Why You Can React in Positive Ways If Someone Doesn't Like a Gift

Giving a gift can be as easy as seeing a piece of costume jewelry in the drug store and buying it for your neighbor's daughter or taking along some extra cookies on your way to the barber shop.

But, if you are acting in such a spontaneous and generous way in giving a gift, why then do people act so ungrateful for it? Why do they even seem annoyed that you would have brought them an unexpected gift?

Are there ways to understand this situation so that you can still react in positive ways when someone doesn't like a gift?

Why Don't People Say Thank You?

As in all social encounters, you are given the option to react in positive ways in spite of someone else's inappropriate behavior.

If someone doesn't like a gift or even becomes irritated, for example, you are given the opportunity to look into this person's life and understand why they act that way.

There can be many reasons why people don't say thank you.

And, because these reasons put the emphasis on another's emotional problems, they can do nothing to undermine the generosity of your gift giving.

This is why you can react in positive ways if someone doesn't like a gift.

For example, if you are the first person to ever give someone a gift, it's quite likely this person doesn't know how to respond. They might be uncomfortable accepting things because they don't know the appropriate way to act.

Further, they might act annoyed when you bring them something because they don't trust your motives. They are cautious because they feel embarrassed by the gift and even unworthy of it.

Again, you are given the option to react in positive ways in spite of someone else's behavior.

Wouldn't you react in positive ways if you knew that someone wanted to say thank you but didn't know how?

Breaking the Ice

Now that you understand the reasons for the hostility of others when you give them a gift, where do you go from there?

The answer is simple. You just keep giving them gifts!

As long as you are seeing another person's behavior as an opportunity to see inside their unhappy life, your gift giving is offered great credibility. You don't have to worry about your own feelings as you react in positive ways.

If someone doesn't like a gift, you can always offer to bring them something they really do like. This breaks the ice with them regarding their suspicious nature.

After all, your original goal was to make them happy.