we’ll Tell You About Broccoli in Your Teeth…But Not That We Hate Your Gift
Jill Turcic
I knew my social media survey was going to be a little awkward. I intentionally asked people if they would say something to someone in some pretty extreme situations—broccoli in their teeth, toilet paper trailing behind them, a “bat in the cave” (cave=nose 😉). Cringe-worthy, yes.
But here’s the funny thing: most of us want people to tell us about those things.
Broccoli? Yes, please. Fly down? Absolutely. Toilet paper on my shoe? For the love of all that is holy, tell me.
But then I asked about gifts. Would you want someone to tell you if they didn’t like the gift you gave them?
Cue the record scratch.
Only 24% of the 41 family and friends who answered my survey said they’d want to know. And when I asked if people would actually speak up in that situation? Just 5% said yes.
Five. Percent.
I had a hunch that gifts would be more sensitive, but I did not expect the results to be this extreme.
Why Gifts Are in Their Own Category
Here’s the thing: if I get a gift I don’t like, I feel guilty. I have to decide what to do with it:
Do I display something in my house that isn’t really my taste?
Do I wear something I don’t like, just so they see it on me once?
Do I quietly donate it and feel terrible about wasting their money?
Meanwhile, you spent money on something that I don’t know what to do with 😩.
This is the kind of awkwardness we’re solving with HeyDay.
Three Lessons From My Silly Survey
We’ll speak up about spinach in your teeth, but not about your gift choices. People want to be honest… until it comes to presents.
Nobody wins with missed gifts. The giver feels proud but the receiver feels guilty—and no one says a word.
There’s an honesty gap. We want to be thoughtful, but we won’t give the feedback that would actually help.
How HeyDay Bridges the Gap
HeyDay removes the awkwardness. You’ll never have to wonder if your gift landed—or sit through the polite “thank you” that really means “not my style.” HeyDay quietly tracks and updates preferences.
HeyDay makes gifting land. Whether it’s salty snacks over sweet, peonies instead of roses, or a bag of local ground coffee instead of a caramel latte, HeyDay helps you nail the details that make the gesture feel personal.
HeyDay fills the honesty gap. People won’t tell you when your gift missed the mark. HeyDay gives you the insight no one else will.
💡 HeyDay Favorites
Here’s a taste of what HeyDay might recommend, based on actual preferences (not guesswork):
Their favorite local coffee shop gift card – not the chain they never visit.
The exact chocolate truffles they crave – or popcorn if they’re more of a salty type.
Flowers in their favorite color – and never the one whose smell they can’t stand.
A thoughtful gesture instead of a gift – like finishing a project for the one who most appreciates “acts of service.”
The Bottom Line
The survey experiment only had 41 responses. But it tells me that honesty has its limits, and gift feedback is at the very bottom of the list. That’s why HeyDay exists—to make sure your gestures and gifts land without anyone having to have an awkward conversation.
Because thoughtfulness shouldn’t be stressful, and it definitely shouldn’t waste your money. With HeyDay, you’ll do the things that matter most, for the people who matter most—and you’ll actually get it right.
And for the record, I would want to know the true answer to all of those questions above–including the gift one.
But if I’m being honest, I still probably wouldn’t tell someone I didn’t like their gift.
Here’s hoping HeyDay can help us bridge that awkward gap together.
