Gifts as Debt

I completely agree with Bryan's post in that I don't believe that gifts are necessarily a bad thing like that article seemed to express. I can understand how it can be potentially viewed as an obligation and a debt that needs to be repaid. But that is really only a fault in the perception of the receiver. A gift is, at least in my eyes something that is given not because the giver has such an excess or a will to dominate through this debt but simply and genuinely to show a physical manifestation, a creation whether bought or created themsleves in still something unique and helpful. It is something given simply to show appreciation and or affection for someone, at least that is if the intentions are pure, which is not always the case but you can't base everything on some people's deviant intentions for presenting someone with something. It is more of a "keep up with jone's" mentality that our social structure has generated that makes us think like this. Gifts in American culture tend to be something purchased, and the bigger and more expensive the better. Regardless of whether or not their is any significance to it. I hope to not change my beliefs on this and assume the best in people and in myself that their are no ill placed intentions.