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Updated: Jun 13, 2022 85 Comments · by

Weekend Open Thread

Weekend Open Thread

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Pictured: kate spade “Belleville Pond” Mug, available at Macys.com for $19.

(L-3)

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Comments

  1. Ms. C

    Anyone have a suggestion for a NYE cocktail dress? Looking for something with shimmer or color!

  2. Lawchic

    I just have this to say: can you stop it with mugs? Esp. mugs with flowers on them? There’s got to be something you can pick that doesn’t scream “I have a vagina!!!” quite that loudly.

    • AIMS

      Haha. I thought that was the whole point :)

      PS: If we’re voting, I like the mugs much better than the tropical drinks which are also occasionally featured.

    • L

      Interesting comment — the mugs don’t strike me as being over-the-top feminine. I kind of like them (and I’m a complete tomboy at heart and in style on the weekends). I’m curious as to what others think.

      • Anonymous

        I don’t like the mugs, but I wouldn’t judge a coworker for drinking out of one, either.

    • MJ

      Isn’t the point that the mugs are like us sitting around and having a cup of coffee together? That’s how I always took it.

    • KH

      Wow! I never thought twice about the mugs. Just thought they were an interesting gimmick from C., who kindly provides a forum for us to go nuts with over the weekend when we (apparently) have nothing better to do.

      Thank you, C.

    • Erin M.

      I like the mugs. I also have a vagina, and I don’t care who knows about it.

      • AN

        Never thought about the mugs! Just glad to have corporette & the weekend threads.

        • C

          ha! i have a thing about wanting to have a colorful graphic to go with whatever the top post on the page is — would hate to leave the weekend thread up all weekend without a graphic. so even though all of my personal mugs are white, and my glasses are clear, i always try to find a colorful mug to feature. (except when i’m feeling super stressed out/festive, when you’ll see a cocktail glass featured.) but yes — the idea was of co-workers or friends hanging out over drinks.

  3. Anonymous

    I have to confess, that as finals period wears on, I’ve developed a minor obsession with following the comments on Corporette…okay, maybe not so minor, but anywho…

    • SummerAssociate

      Same. Same. It’s just so much more fun than my Evidence outline!

    • Amber

      Meeee too. I finished my last one this morning, though! Woohoo!!! Real life, here I come. Until January 11 when it begins again.

  4. Pam

    Is there something wrong with being feminine or having a vagina? It is okay to be a woman, enjoy feminine things and have a job. I am a woman. Everyone in my office knows I am a woman and I imagine some even suspect I have a vagina. I am not embarrassed of my gender. Feminine things can still be professional. Do not make the mistake of equating masculinity with professionalism. If we define being a woman, or being feminine as unprofessional we will never succeed at work, because no mater how hard we try we will never be men. Women can be damn good professionals even if they like flowers.

    • Anonymous

      Well said!

      I really liked hearing Ivanka Trump on the radio a few days ago discussing how important it is to her to be extremely feminine while being professional. Women certainly need to be confident and assertive and play those stupid games invented by men, but trying to make it as a woman in 2009 isn’t like 1979, when women really did need to virtually become “one of the boys.” Things are, unfortunately, not equal – but things have improved.

    • divaliscious11

      I feel like I try to say version of this at least twice a month….. glad to add another voice to the discussion…

  5. anon

    What are the collective Corporette thoughts on recruiter calls? Are there consequences to hearing them out? And if one is open to the possibility of a change but not necessarily eager for it, how to handle the calls/ potential subsequent interviews without causing problems at the current job that you might end up wanting to keep anyway?

    • L

      I tend not to hear them out and avoid mutual time-wasting by stating that I’m relatively new (3rd year) in the field, but I’d be happy to get their contact information in the event that things change/I’m looking for a change. I always give them my private email address. As it turns out, every recruiter has actually followed through and emailed me something. Particularly in this economy, it’s nice to have a book of about 30 recruiter contacts “just in case” something changes or goes wrong. However, I don’t go looking for jobs/asking follow up information as I think that could cause problems (both with your current job and with the recruiter) if you are honestly content with your current position. No need to burn bridges or create a “the grass is always greener on the other side” situation that will only cause distractions or make you look flaky if you are not serious about changing jobs.

    • jcb

      No consequences to hearing them out. Even if you’re not looking to move, it’s always good to know what’s going on in the market.

      So far as the follow-up calls etc – I don’t think there are any ramifications to talking with a recruiter (except that they will then hound you for life if you don’t end up moving), but no matter what people say, it is not always confidential when you interview elsewhere. I know of junior associates in law firms who have gossiped to their friends about lateral interviewees – very unprofessional, but it happens. I probably wouldn’t interview unless I were pretty sure I wanted the job.

    • A

      I always hear them out — get to know them, find out what’s happening in the market, decide who you like and who you don’t. You’ll be glad to have a collection of headhunters in your contact list when you want the hell out.

      Just be discreet. The recruiter will undestand if you can’t talk when they call. They are willing to call after hours or even on the weekend, if need be.

      It’s okay to occassionally be away from the office. Just say you have a dentist appt or your mom’s in town for the day.

    • Amy

      What’s the harm in hearing them out? If you don’t know what they’re offering, how can you say you’re legitimately not interested? Personally, I need to hear an offer before I decide my interest level. The other question is: later on, if you miss out on a great opportunity, will you kick yourself for not being more open?

      My husband got a lot of recruiter calls in his old job. He would get their contact information and ask them to keep in touch, even if he wasn’t interested in what they had called him about. When he got laid off, his first call (after me) was to a recruiter who had been consistently in touch with him about opportunities. She immediately set him up with four or five interviews, which at least got him out of the house and made him feel like there was hope. As it turns out, he got his new job through a friend’s referral – but I don’t think it ever hurts to be polite, keep people’s info on file, and maintain a cordial relationship. My husband was very content and happy in his old job – right up to the minute he got laid off. In this business environment, it’s best to keep your options open at all times.

  6. DJ

    Has anyone heard of this Restaurant.com website? They seem to be offering a $100 gift certificate for $4. Some of the restaurants they list are ones I have gone to / would go to again. Seems insane.

    • newassociate

      yep. insane, but true. i’ve used them a few times, bought at 90% off. the only hitch is that restaurants can decide to stop taking the certificates whenever they want, but if that happens you can just exchange the one you bought for another one. it’s a good idea to call ahead, or at least ask before you order, if the restaurant still takes them. bonus if you live in california, where gift certificates are not allowed to expire.

    • Lynette

      I have had no problems with them. Just make sure that you completely understand any “limitations'” on using the coupon before you purchase. Also keep up with how the business is for the restaurants you are considering, you don’t want to be stuck with a coupon for an establishment that has suddenly closed.

      • DJ

        That’s very helpful Lynette. Do you know if when they say minimum purchase required, does that mean over and above the gift certificate?

        • Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

          Usually on that website (and others like it) you’ll get a $ 25 certificate, but are required to purchase a minimum (something like $ 35) and a fixed gratuity is added to your final total (but cannot count toward you meeting y0ur minimum).

          • Lawgirl

            Yes, I thought restaurants.com was somewhat shady… I read their limitations and restrictions (which aren’t very prominent) and bought a few gift certificates, but not many. I def wouldn’t give them as gifts….

          • K

            Yep, that’s about right. My BF is finding it extraordinarily useful for extended-family gifts, and so far everyone’s been happy.

          • Erin M.

            Do you have to spend $35 + the gift certificate, or $35 including the gift certificate?

        • Lynette

          What Mrs Frankweiler and K said. :) I usually buy the certificates when there is an offer for a nice restaurant and I’m looking to splurge. Most of the time I wind up spending more than the minimum limit anyway.

          • Ms. C

            I really prefer groupon.com to restaurant.com. The quality of the offerings are much better and there’s no minimum purchase. I think it’s bad taste to give someone a gift certificate from restaurant.com where they will be required to spend money to use their gift.

          • RKS

            I use restaurant.com frequently — admitting my cheapstake-ness, I use my Coke reward points to get their certificates for free. If you get a $25 GC, you usually have to spend $35 total (meaning $10 out of pocket for you), but this depends on the restaurant and GC amount.

            I would *NEVER* give this as a gift b/c of the out-of-pocket requirement. Every one of them requires you to spend a significant amount (usually 40 to 100% of the face value of the GC) above the GC amount.

  7. M

    Great question, anon! I would also love to hear the thoughts on this subject…

  8. North Shore

    How about some gift ideas for spiffing up our guys? I just bought my hubby a nice black overcoat from Brooks Brothers. It should be an improvement over the current look.

    • Corporate Tool

      It depends on what you’re looking for, I find that J. Crew has some great sales, and you can get some really nice every day pieces (v-neck sweaters, cardigans, etc) that cover a multitude ofs ins.

  9. Anon

    I have a problem and I was hoping the awesome people on this site could provide some advice.

    I am a new attorney in an office (public sector). For a variety of reasons, I cannot leave this job for at least a few years. I’m new to the area and therefore don’t have a network of friends or family for support. My problem is I really dislike the office environment. There’s a ton of gossip and petty backstabbing that goes on between the attorneys and the support staff. The people in charge don’t care and in my honest opinion, contribute to it (i.e. sharing information with certain individuals and not others, creating a weird hierarchy that is exploited for personal gain). I find it to be a very negative work environment. I also don’t have much, if anything, in common with a lot of the other attorneys because I don’t care about sports of any kind and am not from the area so I can’t contribute to conversations about the local area. I also have a difficult time holding conversations with a few of the attorneys because some of them just say offensive things (i.e. make offensive generalizations about minority religions, women, minorities in general). I often walk away from conversations thinking “I cannot believe he just said that!” People say things that would lead to a harassment lawsuit.

    I need advice on how to cope. I can’t leave my job. I don’t want to lower myself by getting involved in the office gossip and saying nasty things about people in order to make friends. But I know that since I have tried to stay out of it, people don’t “trust” me and have this “you’re either with us or against us” mentality.

    • Anon

      Original commenter here: for those wondering, I have tired to get to know people and when I share the things I’m interested in (i.e. hobbies, etc.). I usually get some backhanded comment like, “of course you would like that” or “that’s fitting for you.” This is for what I think are pretty mainstream interests, such as biking, or television shows on NBC.

      I don’t have a lot of experience dealing with people who behave like this.

      • Amy

        Can you give some more background on the commenter? Male/female, what’s the context (work acquaintance, social acquaintance, etc.) and the situation the comment’s being said in?

        • Former Gov-y

          As someone formerly on the federal dole, I can say that this attitude is exactly the same as what I experienced. My solution was to find another job. I know you said you can’t leave for a few years, but it doesn’t hurt to look. Or are you stuck due to some kind of loan forgiveness program?

          Another problem I ran into in government was a lot of “turf wars”–where I was, there was not enough work to go around, so people hoarded what work they had so they could look busy, and were especially petty about work that would impact others (delaying processing your paperwork for something, just to show you they can–that type of thing). Anyway, good luck, and get out ASAP.

    • CJ in CA

      Wow, That sucks! I’d look for something else when you can, because a work environment like that isn’t conducive to being a successful business either!

      It sounds like people don’t have other things to talk about, and you might be served by having things to change the topic to. If you aren’t from the area, that might be a great thing to talk about. Ask people their favorite restaurants, bars, places to go, things to do, etc. It might be in your best interest to play a wide eyed newcomer. You could consider picking up sports a little- at least enough to know whether the local team won or lost last night. (Or cheer for your hometown team and start a little rivalry if possible!)

      If saying nasty things is the go to conversation, does anyone watch reality TV? If you could steer the convo to saying terrible things about The City, or Jersey Shore, or Biggest Loser or something you might be able to attack a “common enemy” that isn’t on staff. (I’d suggest Tiger Woods this week, but that might be asking for racism)

      Basically, it might be worth your time to try and cultivate an interest that is shared with some of these people even if you hate the Lakers and can’t stand watching Spencer and Heidi.

    • millelilly

      My office is almost exactly the same, minus the inappropriate comments. It is draining on the soul to work in a place like this.

      You don’t want to make friends with these people, you want to get to a place where you feel you can do a good job. If someone makes an inappropriate comment, say “wow, that’s inappropriate” and walk away. Or say, “you know, Bob, I like NBC shows, I like biking, but I don’t like those comments you make about women. Please knock it off while I am around.” Be sweet but snotty and make it clear you don’t need to take their crap.

      From your letter, I get the feeling that you are not very confident at your work. You need to stand up for yourself and not allow people to be nasty to you. Kill them with kindness and make sure you understand in your brain that you are not the same as these people, you do not actually want to fit in with them, and that you are trying to do your job, and you deserve to have a pleasant workplace, and also, that your bosses will not help you. It’s all on you. If the office already doesn’t like you, it won’t hurt at all to become someone who can make snotty comments to shut people up, to demand through your actions that people show you respect, and to take charge.

    • Erin M.

      If you’re really stuck and can’t look for another job, I’d just do your job as well you can while spending as little time at work as possible and, while there, interacting with your coworkers as rarely as possible. Arrive at 9, eat at your desk, leave at 5. If you don’t have a husband/family, join a church/synagogue or other community organization that’ll provide you with a social life.

    • RKS

      What is the reason you can’t leave the job? Is there any way you can make a lateral move within the agency? I work for a fed agency and if I were to dislike my particular office, I could move to another office or sub-office within the agency. For retention purposes, that doesn’t count as a departure (for loan repayment, signing bonus retention, etc). Depending on the reason, you may even be able to move to another agency.

      Also, if it’s a fed agency, look into temporary re-assigmments. We just got an email about a temporary detail to the DC US Attorney’s office for 6 months. It would get you out of that office while you serve out your time and look for something else.

      BTW, as for discussions about the local area, that will come with time. Try to find one or two people who don’t engage in malicious gossip; they must be there somewhere. If they like to talk about the area, bring up what you did over the weekend. Explore something new in your area one weekend — it’ll be fun and give you something to talk about. And avoid the ones with the nasty comments like the plague.

  10. Anon

    The comments come from both male and females co-workers and with broad age range. The comments are always during small talk or when I am having a work-related conversation. For example, when I have a question on dealing with opposing counsel (such as, have you had experience dealing with this attorney, what should I expect when we meet, and so on) somehow, one attorney will bring in his views on race relations. It stresses me out that someone will walk by and think I’m having a very inappropriate conversation.

    • Mel^2

      I think your best bet right now is to try to get involved in community activities so you can meet people outside of work and become more familiar with what the area has to offer.

      I tend to encourage people to discuss non-offensive interests even if it’s not something I really enjoy myself. I have friends who love sports and I couldn’t care less, but when they want to discuss the game or vent for a while, I’m more than happy to listen. I find that if I’m receptive to others’ interests, they’re less likely to be disdainful of my interests.

  11. CJ in CA

    I’m a 3L looking for work post-bar. Do any of you job holders have suggestions for what makes you read a resume when it comes in? US Mail or e-mail? What, on a resume, would get you to risk hiring someone without years of experience who didn’t summer at your firm? (Of course, great grades and clerkships aside, is there anything non-conventional?) If you’re at a smaller firm, what might convince you to hire someone if you don’t have a position open? Is there any point in applying now and in the spring or should we just wait until we take the bar or get bar results? Anything that makes you immediately throw something away other than spelling/grammar?

    • Amber

      I’m not in a law firm yet, and I can’t comment content-wise. But I work as an admin for a state supreme court justice who had me go through post-graduate clerkship applications and do a preliminary sort.

      Some of the cover letters really turned me off. I couldn’t bring myself to closely read the ones that were more than about 2 paragraphs. I also found the ones that were clearly generic to be really annoying. Something a little more personal that was not just a recitation of the applicant’s resume and that really told why the applicant wanted to be in the justice’s chambers was most persuasive.

      I didn’t throw any away (the justice just wanted them kind of separated into piles), but I noticed that most of the ones going into the “please look at first” pile had the best cover letters.

    • KZ

      I’m in the same position… it’s such a frustrating year for job searching. Good luck!

    • Karen

      Having some personal connection to the recipient of your letter is very useful, because one big problem is getting any attention at all. Try sending your resume and cover letter to people who went to your college or law school. It would also be good to pick two or three specific areas of interest – in a bad economy, people are most likely to hire if they think the person has, if not experience, then at least a genuine interest in areas where their current staffing is weak. So customize your cover letters and the targets you send them to, to a particular interest.

      Also, you might consider starting with requests for informational interviews rather than for jobs. Email junior associates in the practice areas you think you might like, and ask them to have coffee or talk on the phone about their experience. They can tell you what practice areas are hot, may know about openings, or can tell you which firms and attorneys are well-known. In my experience, people who went to my law school were very willing to do this, and some of those talks led directly to interviews at their firms. Plus with the information you get, you can write to the well-known attorneys and say “I really want to do X, and I know you’re the star in this area, so I really want to work with YOU.” This will flatter them and make them inclined to overlook your lack of experience.

      Other than grades and clerkship, this is a good time to emphasize entrepreneurial / self-starter attitudes, WITH concrete examples. Technical, knowledge management, or other useful operational skills might also appeal to smaller firms. Firms right now are worried about having enough work to keep their associates busy, and are focusing more on proactive business development activities. Some of them may be interested in associates who can contribute to business development rather than just sit waiting for work to be handed to them, or who can contribute to making the practice more cost-efficient so that the firm can respond to the increased demands for lower-cost legal services.

      Finally, consider getting involved in bar association activities now. You can probably get a reduced membership fee, and if you sign up to help with a newsletter or publication of some kind you give people a chance to see your work up close. Those people are then more likely to open their rolodexes and find you a job. (And if you don’t find a job right away, you’ll have something that will allow you to keep developing your skills while you look so you don’t go crazy.)

      • ClerkChic

        All this advice is great. To it, I would add that the cover letters that grab my attention are those that really convey passion. If you want to litigate, tell me why you think you’ll be an amazing litigator. If you want to draft contracts, tell me what interests you about an air-tight agreement, etc. The law is about advocacy, and I always pay the most attention to those who advocate for themselves effectively!

    • Erin M.

      I think the consensus at my organization is that we hate receiving resumes by real mail, or unsolicited resumes that aren’t in response to a specific job posting (the latter may not be the same at law firms). And the best way to be hired is to clerk or intern with us. Any possibility that you can intern somewhere part-time during your last semester?

      • CJ in CA

        Thanks for the tips- I’m out of state for law school so I can’t intern where I want to work or get involved with bar activities much, but those are good tips.

        Karen- I like your idea of finding someone who seems great and asking to work with them. I always thought that might seem to brown nose-y but I guess I don’t have anything to lose now!

        I have to say I feel almost ready to pull an Elle Woods and send a pink, scented resume and a video cover letter just to get it opened up! In any other year I think my grades would have gotten me a clerkship, and my work would have gotten me an offer at the firm I summered with, but this year I think most of my resumes end up in the circular file.

        • Erin M.

          The suggestion made above to email people who went to your law school (or whom you otherwise have a connection to) is a good one. I will almost always say yes to someone from my law school or hometown who wants an informational interview (meaning, a chat about opportunities in the field generally or in my organization specifically) and will definitely say yes to a friend of someone I know.

  12. KLo

    I tried Sierra Trading Post tonight after suggestions on here, and I saved a ton of money and am stoked with what I could find! Thanks all :)

  13. Emily

    Anyone from the Minneapolis area out there? I would like to get my brother-in-law and his wife a gift certificate to a fairly nice restaurant for Christmas, but since I don’t live in that area, I don’t have any ideas. We’d like to do about $100 to somewhere that isn’t a chain.

    • newassociate

      while procrastinating from westlaw, i took a poke through chowhound on this question. it looks like this is a good thread on MSP restaurants. the main OP is “jfood,” who i do not know but find reliable from his numerous astute reviews all over the country.

      his top restaurants in MSP, at least on this thread where he is happy with la grassa restaurant, are
      1 – Alma
      2 – Meritage
      3 – Osteria I Nanni
      4 – 112
      5 – Strip Club
      6 – Saffron

      i suspect that any of these will be successful.

      http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/667778

    • Lynette

      I’m not from Minneapolis so hopefully someone will be able to chime in with some suggestions. If you have the time, check out the reveiws on the yelp.com site. The reviews will give you some idea of the cuisine offered, price ranges, restaurant locations, etc. I tend to use yelp as a resource when I’m going to be traveling to an unfamiliar city.

      HTH.

    • Tidy

      My best friend was a concierge at a luxury hotel in Minneapolis for several years, and her favorite restaurant is 112 Eatery. http://www.112eatery.com/

      She’s been gone from Minneapolis for a few years now, and every time she goes back (even if just for a long-ish layover), she goes!

      • 3L in Mpls

        I live in Minneapolis. 112 Eatery is one of the best in town – go with that. Other fabulous options: Zelo (Italian), The Dakota (jazz dinner club), Alma, La Belle Vie.

    • Ms B

      I am not from Minneapolis, but have been there several times for business. I have had several lovely meals at a restaurant on Nicollet Avenue downtown called Vincent. I would describe the food as French and French inspired. The restaurant has a very cozy feeling, even though the space is large and the ceilings are high and I found the staff very accomodating. A gift certificate for $100 would cover two entrees, an appetizer, a dessert, tip and tax there, more or less.

      Keep in mind that $100 will about

  14. 3L

    Does anyone have any thoughts on whether it is appropriate to wear booties / ankle boots with a skirt to work (any legal setting, public or private)? I was thinking of wearing a black high-waisted skirt with maroon booties to my internship, but I’m not sure if that’s appropriate. (I’m a legal intern at a hedge fund, so it might be ok in this context, but I wonder about more traditional law offices as well). Please advise!

    • Anonymous

      I wouldn’t do it. Even if it’s ok in your office, what if they want to take you OUT of the office – say, to meet a client or something? Rule of thumb is to always dress as if you are going to have a meeting with the most important person in your company that day, or as if you might bump into an important client. If you are only an intern, best to go on the conservative end of your office’s attire spectrum.

      • Anonymous

        (1:57 here again). My only caveat would be that if for some reason looking edgy and fashionable is part of your job, then go for the maroon booties. If it’s just to be trusted for coming up with numbers and legal/financial decisions, I’d go conservative.

      • Happy Sunday

        I think that it is inappropriate as well. I have seen a few young associates wear boots with skirts and I think it makes them look young and unprofessional. You’re best off wearing heels and luckily there are so many cute ones out there that hopefully you won’t feel fashion deprived!

    • Mel^2

      What’s the dress like typically at your workplace? If it’s a business casual environment where people tend to be more creative with their dress, then I don’t think it would be a problem. If people tend to dress more conservatively, then I’d stick with that approach unless someone higher up suggests you can be more creative/fun with your wardrobe. In one of my legal internships, the department head told me I could have a little more fun with my wardrobe.

      • 3L

        Thanks for the advice so far. Hedge funds in general are less formal and our legal dept. consists of only the GC/CLO (same person) and a few interns. The rest are traders and support staff. The one curveball is that I am the only female aside from the receptionist! All the traders, other interns and GC are men (they dress business casual, no suit jackets), so I have no one to really reference from. But erring on the side of formal is always a safe bet I imagine. Which means no maroon booties for now (at least not with skirts) :)

        • Mel^2

          I think the booties should be fine. I think women are more likely to notice/care, so if you’re it aside from the receptionist, why not go for it?

    • Erin M.

      If the environment isn’t business formal (i.e. everyone wears suits every day), this sounds like a perfectly fine outfit.

        • Erin M.

          It’s not like she suggested wearing Uggs or thigh-high pleather.

          I can’t understand the responses to the original commenter at all – where do you people work that a pencil skirt with ankle boots is wild and crazy?

          • RKS

            Honestly? For two reasons: (1) she’s an intern in a tough economy, presumably trying to get an offer from this place. So treat the internship as a long interview, minus the black suit. (2) She’s the only woman so given the above, I wouldn’t risk the men seeing her as less professional for the outfit.

            And my personal (3) I hate booties with skirts.

          • Mel^2

            I think the risk is less in an all-male workplace. At least in places I’ve worked, women were far more critical with regards to women dressing too conservatively/risque for the workplace. Men don’t seem to notice as much. It’s not like her skirt is too short or she is showing tons of cleavage.

    • s

      If anyone’s still reading this thread, I went to my firm’s women’s luncheon today, and one of the junior associates was rocking tights with booties. She did black tights with black booties, and I thought it was subtle enough to be perfectly acceptable, and she looked fabulous. One of the female equity partners even complimented her on it.

  15. Jenn Searls

    Anyone have good ideas for Christmas gifts for employees? I’m the director of a project team and have about 16 employees – 14 female and 2 male – and need an idea that I can give them all for the holidays. Any great ideas out there at this late stage?

    • ClerkChic

      Harry & David – Amazing Fruits, Wonderful Snacks – can’t go wrong!

    • Amy

      It’s very cliche and not that creative, but I have found that if there’s a Starbucks or Coffee Bean/Tea Leaf near the office, people LOVE those gift cards. They definitely get used. I felt like I was cheaping/chickening out by getting them for my team a couple years ago but people freaked out and just loved them. I tend to get a higher amount – $15 – so people can use it two or three times, or take someone for coffee if they want.

      • Happy Sunday

        Assuming that your employees drink alcohol, a nice bottle of wine is always appreciated. You can get a good botte for $10-$15.

    • Erin M.

      You didn’t mention a price range. Last year my boss gave my (all-female) team gift cards to Sephora and a pretty Christmasy tchotchke (she knew we all celebrated Christmas). The Sephora cards were a big hit – if you don’t think your team would be offended by different gifts for men and women, it’s a great idea. You could give the guys movie theater gift cards.

  16. Liz

    For Anon, I would say that if you hear people making inappropriate comments, maybe take them aside a little later and tell them that their comments are offensive to you. If you do it in private, hopefully they’ll take it with a little more grace than if you snap at them in public.

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