Gifts

The superintendent of schools calls me into his office the other day. He is hemming and hawwing about something that I am told is very important.

Me:
Hey Mr. F. What's up?

F-san:
Ahh yes, I got a call the other day from a woman in Takuma,
who's daughter you hang out with.

Me:
Yeah, that's N. She's really cool. Why did she call?

F-san:
Ahh well, she is sad that you are leaving, and her parents
want to get you a nice present to remember her by. What
do you want them to buy you?

Me:
Umm..that is unnecessary, I appreciate the offer, but I just enjoy
hanging out with N. They don't need to buy me anything.

F-san:
mmmmmmm. Well, I guess since they are getting you something,
we should also get you something. What do you want us to buy you?

Me:
(in my head: an original Karfu woodblock? Money for my summer trip? Payment for all the time I will spend in therapy to forget you? )
Oh that's very kind of you, but seriously completely unnecessary

(really thinking: "what's your budget for this gift?").

F-san:
No, it is obligatory that we buy you a present. So please tell us what you want.

Me:
Really sir, the memories are enough.

(Okay, at this point, as I am packing my bags and finding I will be shipping hundreds of dollars of stuff back home, I really really don't want anything that i will have to ship...so when i say I don't want anything ... except money or a nice piece of art...i actually do mean it.)

F-san:
We HAVE TO buy you something. You can tell me what you want later.


I don't know why obligatory presents don't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...And what is the proper etiquette, do I have to buy them obligatory, "c-ya wouldn't wanna be ya" presents?