Looking for sage advise

[Guest]

Dear members of the lounge,

I would like to receive your opinions about the following issue:

I am a young man, 24 years of age studying at university. My father has recently received a gold Longines watch, which is really splendid, the occasion being that he is working for 25 years at the same company.

I am to receive my master's degree in law (LLM) in a year or so. My father would like to give me the watch on that occasion.

Personally I think that I should not accept the offer, as he has worked for it for half of his life, yet I do not want to disappoint him. It feels like making good on a part of his legacy, which I do want to avoid. What should I do?

[Guest]

I am not sure whether this makes sense, but my approach would go something like this: you accept the watch but reques that he continue to wear it as it represents the appreciation that his erstwhile colleagues have for him.

[Guest]

This is not sage advice but it is practical: grab it.

[Guest]

If you're all not careful, this watch could turn into a Christmas fruitcake-- too precious (and then too elderly) to contemplate eating. Passed from house to house, generation to generation.

How about a serious talk with Dad, where you say "I haven't earned this yet. You put some miles on it and then it will be all the more precious to me later on."

If he's realy not a watch guy, however, you might as well take it and wear it. Maybe have it engraved with your graduation date, or perhaps his name and the occasion.

[Guest]

Your father has nurtured and cared for you for the entire length of time that he was employed by the company that marked his twenty-fifth year in their employ with the gold Longine. His wish to gift it to you (particularly at the time of your graduation) symbolises and celebrates the abiding nature of your relationship with him. He has supported you, entirely in one hand , as a new born , nurtured and encouraged you during your youth and now, at the culmination of your advanced and priveledged education offers this gift as a mark of his love and respect for you , his now fully grown son.

You will fully understand this when you , in turn , are in his position.

You would honour your father by graciously accepting and proudly wearing the watch.


bluscuro

[Guest]

Don't lessen the experience for your father by debating the issue. Let your father give you the watch and wear it with pride. I sense that your father will love the watch more on your wrist that on his.

Enable him to this act of generosity, the watch represents 1/2 a career's work and you should be honored to accept and wear it. Let him know that you understand that he has raised the bar on how you are treat your own sons and daughters.

DDM

[Guest]

I've never had children, but your father must think a great deal of you. Accept his present,

[Guest]

The only gracious response is to gratefully accept the watch.