Why do companies continue to send gift baskets out to other companies? They’re usually filled with pretentious crap that gets thrown out because no one in the office wants to eat it (smoked salmon? dry as hell water crackers? WTF?) or bottles of barbeque sauce and finishing sauce. Yeah, they’re really useful in an office. There are always gourmet meals being cooked here.
If you’re going to spend that much frigging money, would it be possible to get something in the baskets that people will actually want to eat? And I don’t mean the 10 pounds of paper (way to be environmental!) that fill out the bottom of the basket and make it look just that much ‘better’.
There has to be a better way to say ‘thanks’.
—Basket Case over Baskets.
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2009.
I’ll take the dry as hell water crackers. And while you’re at it BBQ sauce is a hot commodity for broke-ass young people like me.
I especially love it when your ad/sales reps try to charge you an arm and a leg all year (not you Coast, thank goodness you’re more reasonable) and then they send you these expensive gifts at Christmas. Like a big gift once a year is going to convince you to continue paying more than you should for their services!
what’s wrong with smoked salmon? mmmmm!
Smoked salmon has the texture and taste of sweat-drenched inner soles.
I thought TTFN was gonna say something much worse = ).
But, I agree with jennier– smoked salmon…Mmmmm!
Soda crackers and paper–not so much (and they’re interchangable).
Dear Companies that send baskets to my work,
Please don’t listen to this bitch! Thanks.
I have no idea what this bitch is about…. baskets to companies???
is this like small business or something?
how is it divvy’d up?
I love smoked salmon.
Hate on the gift industry sure, but smoked salmon is yummy.
yummmmmm SMOKED SALMON !!!!!!!!
I’m just glad I don’t have a bad lisp – how would I ever order smoked salmon?? Mmmmmmmm, Shhhhamen.
This will be the first year I won’t get a basket… I had to go out and buy my own melba toast and smoked salmon cream cheese. This year, it’s not imported!!! Wahhhh…
zZz: I’ve worked for a few small companies, and we’ve gotten gift baskets like those mentioned in this Bitch. Usually, the basket is opened up and put in the kitchen, and the goods are put out for staff to enjoy. Or not enjoy, as the case may be. 😉 There does tend to be some items that aren’t easily shared, like bbq or dipping sauces, however.
You eat imported smoked salmon, Dr. Fever?! I don’t what to say except maybe…
TRAITOR! = p
No, really, why would you eat anything but local? It is THE best in the world!
HKM— Sadly, yeah. All that Hickory Farms crap comes from the States. I’m not one to pass up free food.
I *heart* hickory farms!
Wait, dried smoked salmon, or…i have no clue.
But that’s pretty nasty if it’s dried…wrapped…sitting in a gift basket…
Oh my god.
My spouse and I get a lot of these food platter/gift box presents. I like over-priced cheese as much as the next dude but I prefer video games. Xbox games are cheaper than some of them.
I guess the OB hasn’t priced smoked salmon lately.
We’re such dinks we don’t even get cards anymore. Enjoy your baskets. Though I am enjoying a bottle of California red that a rep left so I’m kinda on the fence with this bitch.
BBQ Sauce? Dudes, forget about using this stuff at the office, fill yer bags and take that shit home. Just don’t let the boss see it if he ever invites him/herself over for a family bbq.
When I worked in South Korea the school I worked for gave the foreign teachers gift boxes of cans of tuna for Chuesok (Korean thanksgiving/festival of the dead in October). The Korean teachers got wine. Beats me.
I’ve heard they’re crazy xenophobic in South Korea, Pav. Could that be it?
They can be. It was very good tuna though. I ate lots of tuna and mayo sandwiches in October.
thanks Raph… I was a little lost there. I am one for free food so was hoping to get in on the action.
mmmmmmmmm, tuna sandwhiches…. I need some breakfast! must stop drooling on keyboard.
And Pav, xbox games are Really cheap if you flash the drive and torrent the games….
http://jungleflasher.net/
i tried smoking salmon once,but couldn’t find a paper big enough to roll it in.hyuk,hyuk.