Just a few months ago, I had a conversation that made my brain hurt. Reading this thread brought it back to mind.
B/g: I belong to a costume/anime club and for people's birthdays we usually all go in on a relatively inexpensive item like a dvd box set or cheap cosplay.
Names and details have been changed.
It was a few weeks to my friend Primrose's birthday, and I got a call from the club president that went like this:
James: So, I found a wedding costume for Primrose we could order. And of course, I’ll contribute.
Me: (knowing Primrose is currently making her own costume) I think Primrose is already working on a wedding costume, but we could get her some accessories.
James: I can pay for some of it.
Me: Yeah, but I think she’s working on a wedding costume
James: I can get some others to chip in as well
James: I’ll send you the link to it over facebook.
Me: *getting annoyed*
I don’t remember the rest of the conversation, but he did end up sending me the link, reiterating he would contribute money. The money wasn’t really the issue. It was more me wondering if Primrose would even want the costume what with her making her own. I eventually convinced James to help me buy her some accessories, something I knew she would want. She did finish her costume and it was much nicer than the cheap one we would have bought her.