A Malaysian employee has urged interns not to feel obligated to give farewell goodies to every staff member at their workplace.
This came after six interns from different universities reportedly distributed goodies to more than 70 employees in her office.
‘Just give them to those who guided you’
Taking to Threads, the woman said interns should not feel pressured to buy gifts for permanent employees, especially since interns generally earn much less.
Please don’t normalise giving goodies to us permanent employees. It is enough to give them to those who guided you,” she wrote.
She explained that such gestures could unintentionally place financial pressure on other interns who might feel compelled to follow the trend.
“If you want to give them out, do it discreetly. Giving them to the entire office could burden other interns who may feel they have to do the same,” she added.
Interns should not feel pressured
The woman later clarified that she was not criticising interns who could afford to buy gifts.
Those who wished to do so were free to proceed, but interns who could not afford goodies should not feel bad about it, she said.
“If you can afford it and want to give something, go ahead. For other interns who cannot afford goodies, that is completely fine. We are okay with it, so please don’t feel pressured.”
Netizens share mixed views
Several commenters agreed that the main issue was not the gifts themselves, but the peer pressure the practice could create.
One commenter said an intern from a wealthier family might be able to afford gifts, while another experiencing financial difficulties might struggle to keep up.
Another former intern said she only gave a gift to her supervisor, while another said she prepared goodies for 32 colleagues because they had all guided her throughout her internship.
Others said farewell gifts should remain a personal gesture of appreciation and never become an expectation placed on interns.
