Having a friendly workplace shouldn’t be hard, but it can be tricky when some people want more of a “family” vibe, and others just want to work and go home.

In this story, a man shares that he doesn’t see why he needs to chip in $20 for a birthday gift to a coworker he doesn’t even talk to.

Now everyone is judging him for opting out.

Is he in the wrong?

Let’s read the whole story.

AITA for refusing to chip in for a coworker’s birthday gift when I barely know them?

I’m (30M) and I work in a mid-sized office, about 30-ish people total.

Last week, Susan (48F) went around the office saying we were all chipping in for a birthday gift for a coworker (Jenna 38F or 37F, not sure).

Anyways, she works in a different department than me, and while I recognize her face, we’ve maybe exchanged a few hellos in the hallway.

We don’t work together and have never talked outside of that.

He wouldn’t consider giving her a gift.

Susan (the organizer) suggested everyone pitch in $20 for a gift card and a cake.. I didn’t respond at first.

Later that day, Susan stopped by my desk and asked if I was in.

I said I was going to pass, since I don’t really know Jenna and don’t usually participate in office gift collections unless it’s someone I work closely with.

But apparently, it wasn’t courteous of him.

She looked surprised and said, “It’s just $20”.

I told her I get that.. but it feels weird to me to pay for gifts for people I don’t have a relationship with.

She kind of brushed it off and said okay, but after that things felt awkward.

Since then, a couple coworkers have been noticeably colder toward me, one even joked that I’m “that guy” (meaning who doesn’t put $20 in).

He’s feeling a bit socially rejected now.

Anyways I’m starting to wonder if I broke some unspoken office rule and came off as cheap or antisocial.

I don’t mind celebrating people I actually work with, but I also don’t think gift giving should be mandatory, especially for someone I barely know.

AITA?

They’re really creating a hostile work environment because of $20.

Let’s see how Reddit reacted to this.

This is why math is so important.

Yup.

Someone suggests what to say.

More food for thought.

Another reader shares their opinion.

Probably.

He should ask them why $600.

The math ain’t mathin’.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.