As the saying goes, it’s the thought that counts.
We bring up this phrase when we’re trying to state that one’s focus should be on the intentions the gift-giver had when they gave their present, no matter how good or bad that gift is. But some presents, if we’re being honest, are just a terrible idea. Case in point: anything that’s fake.
After speaking with a friend about the time her mom knowingly bought her a fake Coach wallet that she proceeded to never use, I wondered how often fake bags and wallets are given as gifts. I did a quick search on Google, and lo and behold, issue after issue posted of women seeking advice because they didn’t know what to do about the fake bags they were given by their boyfriends. On top of that issue, they were also trying to figure out if the men in their life knowingly gave them fake designer bags or if they had been swindled. The common concern was for their boyfriend’s ego. And while they didn’t want to carry around the gifts, they’d been asked by the gift-givers why they hadn’t been using them.
Awkward.
Hell, even Drake admitted on his new album, or “playlist,” More Life that he’s been guilty of gifting a woman a fake designer wallet. As he put it in the song, “Do Not Disturb, “Remember when I bought Sealey the fake Chanel wallet/She knew that sh-t was a fraud but never told me about it/Nowadays when we catchin’ up we just laugh about it/Can’t describe what my life is like when she asks about it.”
My, have his circumstances changed.
As for everyday people, this user who shared her story on Yahoo! was pissed with her boyfriend over her fake bag — maybe a little too pissed:
I can’t believe he gave me a FAKE bag!
He makes good money and is very fashion conscious himself.
He was in NYC last month on a business trip, I assume he must have gotten it there. A–HOLE!!
Did he really think I wouldn’t be able to tell it’s a fake???
The best part of this is that he gave it to me in a COACH store shopping bag to make it look like it was real!!!!
Another, reportedly deemed ungrateful by people on social media, said her boyfriend bought her four Chanel bags and three pairs of Christian Louboutins, all fake. Still, he swears they’re real and is bothered that she won’t wear them.
I love him a lot but he should stop trying it. I will wear aldo n zara and still love him. He always wants me to wear these things out on the red carpet or weddings. I refuse most times and he gets so upset. He says things like do you know how much these things cost. I ordered them from NY blah blah. I know he’s lying but I don’t want to hurt him.
And one other young woman was more sad than mad about her fake Louis Vuitton bag. Her main concern was that her boyfriend had been hoodwinked by a relative because she really didn’t want to believe that he would knowingly buy her a fake bag.
Last night, my boyfriend and I exchanged Christmas presents. He gave me a Louis Vuitton handbag and told me it was authentic. The more I look at the bag (and research them online), the more I’m convinced it’s a fake. I’m no expert, but…
Anyhow, I feel awful. He may not know that it’s fake. He told me a couple of months ago that his Uncle was managing a Louis Vuitton store and could get bags for a small discount. I hope his Uncle wouldn’t try and cheat him but you never know. My gut feeling is that if this bag is a fake, my boyfriend does know about it.
My question is…. should I tell him what I suspect? I put a lot of thought into his present and spent a lot of money on it. And although it IS the thought that counts, trying to pass off fake stuff is just tacky.
After reading about these and other similar scenarios, I noticed the consensus opinion was that the women should be thankful for the gift, but instead, they were being unappreciative. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, right? That’s usually what women are told when it comes to men dish out to us that we end up being uncomfortable with: “Someone else would appreciate it.”
But who are these people kidding? If you bought your boyfriend a fake pair of Jordans, do you think he would actually wear them in public? What about a fake gold chain? A fake Playstation (they’re out there)? He would want no parts, sis, and rightfully so.
So why should someone just smile and begrudgingly wear a fake designer bag? I don’t need Chanel, but I’ll for damn sure pass on Channel. And while I probably wouldn’t expose the bag’s fake status, if consistently pressed about why I don’t use it while sitting on proof that my gift is counterfeit, I might have to let the cat out of the bag. Trust me when I say that nobody wants that.
My stance on situations like this is that when all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a normal, thoughtful gift. Can’t get the designer bag? Just get your partner a regular, nice bag instead. Can’t afford the Chanel? Give her a few dollars to help her save to buy it on her own. But under no circumstances should someone knowingly try and gift their partner anything fake if that’s not what they asked for. If it’s the thought that counts, I’m sorry, but that’s not a good thought…
But as always, that’s just my opinion. What say you? Is it petty to not want to rock the fake designer bag your boyfriend gave you? Would you tell him it’s fake?
Image via Bigstock
