While many people love celebrating birthdays, sometimes it’s the friends and colleagues around you who take it even more seriously—sometimes too seriously.
One Malaysian man recently shared a story from 2019 that has resurfaced online, revealing how he was unexpectedly pulled into funding a lavish birthday gift for a colleague’s office crush.
Colleague wanted to ‘attract’ a girl
According to the man, it all started when his former colleague—who worked in the same department—became smitten with a woman from the HR team.
During lunch break, the woman casually mentioned a Marshall speaker she spotted would be perfect for her new home while they were window shopping.
That offhand comment sparked an idea in the friend’s mind. With her birthday approaching, he decided he wanted to surprise her with the exact speaker she liked.
But rather than funding it himself, he began roping in others—including the storyteller, who was barely on speaking terms with the HR colleague.
Just a week before her birthday, the friend messaged him asking to chip in money for the gift.
Roped everyone in to buy gift
The man was understandably confused and a little annoyed. After all, he wasn’t particularly close to her, and she hadn’t even wished him a happy birthday in the past, let alone given him a present.
Wah you not steady leh bro, RM300 only,” his ex colleague said when he refused to pay.
Despite expressing his unwillingness, the friend persisted. The very next day, after work, he called to remind him to transfer the money so he could go ahead and buy the speaker.
Looking back, the man was still baffled. The friend had asked for RM300—a sum that amounted to nearly two weeks’ worth of his food expenses at the time.
“You want me to pay RM300 just so you can impress a girl I’m not even close to?” he recalled thinking.
Netizens’ reactions
The post struck a chord with many online, who couldn’t believe the audacity of the request.
Several pointed out how inconsiderate it was to expect others to fund a romantic gesture, especially when there was no mutual connection.
‘If you don’t have money, don’t go after girls and still ask others for money.’
‘If everyone contributes RM300 for every birthday, then it would be fair since eventually it’ll be your turn too. But if you’re just randomly asked to chip in, then it’s not right. If you want to chase a girl, pay for it yourself.’
‘Simping until you’re left with nothing in the end and even dragged your colleague into the mess.’
