Getting into a PhD program is a big accomplishment, but one person on Reddit was surprised by the kinds of gifts their sister expected. The Redditor explained that the sister sent a link to a $700 coffee machine.
"Coincidentally, I owned the exact model of coffee machine she wanted, and my wife and I were trying to sell it because we rarely used it to make any specialty drinks," the person explained, adding that they've had the machine for less than two years. The sister wanted to know "how used" it was and ultimately rejected it.
The sister sends a text to the family group chat asking her family to 'celebrate her.'
The Redditor's sister wanted her family to "celebrate her" when she got into an online PhD program, so she sent a text to the family group chat. She sent a link to the infamous $700 coffee machine (the one that the Redditor already owned). The Redditor offered to give her the used coffee machine, and the mom also offered to give used bookends (also requested by the sister).
The sister is bothered by their offers.
Though the family members offered the items that the sister requested, she did not appreciate that they were used. The sister sent a text accusing the family of "using this opportunity to thrift and pawn off used goods."
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The Redditor also has a newborn baby.
The Redditor also mentioned that "we just had a baby which she hardly mentions and definitely does not celebrate." Wanting to know if they took it too far by offering "used" gifts, the Redditor asked people to weigh in because it's been bothering them for a while.
People think the sister sounds entitled.
Many were surprised to learn that the sister essentially texted her family asking for gifts. One person wondered who would text people demanding gifts, while another wrote "She sounds so entitled! No one is owed a gift, especially one worth $700 for getting into a PHD program."
Many cannot imagine expecting such a nice gift.
A lot of people argued that acceptance into a program doesn't warrant gifts in the way that graduating from said program might. "It might call for a hearty handshake and a pat on the back, but not expensive gifts," one person commented. A few were a bit more generous, suggesting that taking her out to dinner or getting her a gift card would be an appropriate way to celebrate.
Others who got accepted into similar programs say they didn't expect so much.
Several people also pointed out that they applied and got accepted into various types of degree programs, but they didn't really expect people to celebrate the achievement.
"I got no gifts after getting accepted into my in-person PhD program and I don’t have any expectations for gifts after I defend, just maybe going out to dinner," one person wrote.
Another person noted they didn't even tell people when they got into a degree program, because they're not doing it for recognition or gifts.
Some are harsh and say getting into a PhD program isn't that hard.
Though lots of people agreed that the sister sounds entitled, some people took it a step further and said that getting into a PhD program isn't a huge deal.
"To be honest, depending on what the PhD program it is, it's not that difficult to get into," one person wrote. "Graduating is a whole different story but to celebrate just for getting into a program isn't worth a $700 celebration."
Not everything requires an expensive celebration.
The post reminded several people of how celebrations have gotten out of hand. A few people pointed out that they can't imagine what would be on the sister's wedding registry if this is what she expects when she gets accepted into an academic program.
"People need to stop thinking that everything needs to be celebrated in an expensive manner," one Redditor wrote. "A nice card, book, long text from heart or something small but meaningful has way more value in my opinion than an expensive present."
What's so bad about a secondhand coffee machine anyway?
A $700 coffee machine is a large ask for any occasion, many agreed. While some suggested that she just get a cheaper coffee machine because a $700 one is not necessary, others wondered why she had an issue with the secondhand one.
"She wasn't even happy with an used one?" one person wondered. "She's so spoiled. I think getting that one for free is too much because they are expensive. And she wouldn't even be happy with that."
Another pointed out that there are many advantages to using secondhand items: "Our entire house is furnished from handy me downs and stuff I’ve bought from friends and acquaintances. Better for the environment and when you have kids and pets just makes sense."
