Dear Judy,
I am a 32-year-old paralegal. For years there’s been this lawyer in the firm (it’s a big one) who’s been down on me, always criticizing anything I do, and I know when I asked for raise, he was the one who stopped the firm from rewarding me last year.
Anyway, turns out he now has stomach cancer and it’s advanced. Everyone in the office is sending him flowers and presents. I’ve been asked to contribute (this is done weekly!!!). The first few times I said I was strapped for money, but the excuse is getting old.
I am getting funny looks. What should I do? Contribute and be a hypocrite? Or stick to my guns and be seen as a heartless miser? Or make up a new excuse?
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
It all depends. Who’s taking up the collections? If it’s a different person each week (and my, that is a lot of collections!) then just say you gave last week.
If it’s the same person, say you went to see him the day before, and already brought him flowers.
They won’t know, they won’t care.
Thanks for writing
Judy
