Lewis Hyde's book "The Gift ' was my introduction to the idea of the "gift economy" : an exchange running parallel to what we usually call "the economy"- buying and selling with money. The book was reading for a course, and I couldn't get into it at all. Several years went by until I picked up the book again and read it in one gulp.
What is is about a gift economy that was so difficult for me? Hyde mentions in passing that there is a downside to the gift economy, although his book mainly conjures us the sustaining of community that arises from it. I have started to think about the gifts I would rather not receive. Nice things, sometimes, but just not my taste. These days, I'm getting rid of stuff. I don't want more stuff! Take it away! There are things sitting on my shelf that I never did like, and felt guilty for not liking.
And then there is giving: what will they like? I like it, but will he? It is so much easier to go and buy what you want and pay cash, and if you decide to return it there are not hard feelings. It's a transaction not loaded with relationship issues.
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