Why does my boyfriend always give me "small" gift?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am in my mid 30s, and my boyfriend in his mid 40s. We both have decent jobs, and he earns even more than me. But somehow he is very "tight-handed" when it comes to gifts. I gift him a 200 bucks wallet, or a decent Polo shirt, etc he'd appreciate them, but when it is his turn, he'd choose the cheapest lipstick of few bucks in a duty-free shop when there are plenty of other brands. That happens many times and I start to feel he just intentionally picks cheaper stuff for me. That annoys me and it does not motivate me to go extra mile for him either.
We communicated and he started to quote his upbringing and how he sees money, but I do not think he is that tight on himself. He likes electronic stuff and that costs a fortune, all his clothes are branded too. That makes me feel even worse.
It is not that I need him to buy me luxury stuff but his way of doing it makes me feel he does not want to give reasonable decent effort to buy something that would please me, he just picks what he thinks is "good enough".

[Anonymous]

This goes much deeper than the gifts he gives you, it is a major redflag that I've seen ignored by other women to their detriment.

You're comment 'I am definitely younger and hotter than him. So he can dream that he would get anyone better. '

Is also a redflag too. In any case, either stop giving him such expensive gifts, or find someone more generous to be with.

[Wise4myage]

He's selfish and doesn't know how to treat women.

[Harleigh90]

Don't understand why the gifts are such a big deal. Just screams materialistic. Maybe, he just generally doesn't know what to buy. Have you suggested maybe booking days out together instead of gifts.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he thinks that giving expensive gifts to women will pamper women more so that women want more.

[Asker]

yeah that is my feeling as well. It feels as if he worries that I expect more. But the fact he takes my gifts and still give me something cheaper makes me feel resentful.

[Opinion Owner]

I think you should treat him the way he treats you. In this case you look like a sucker (don't angry please, this is not a insult). Why are you buying expensive gifts for someone who doesn't consider a simple expensive gift worthy of you? I think you should retaliate against him from now on.

[Asker]

Yeah I stop giving him extra. Guess what? he has the cheek to ask me to get him stuff during my business trips. :)

[Opinion Owner]

This is really unacceptable. While one cannot even ask for a glass of water from someone, another person shamelessly wants to be bought a gift for himself when he is full of shame.

[Randalama]

When I first read the headline I thought you were referring to his penis but then I actually read your post and clearly the problem runs much deeper. You should break up with him immediately and become impregnated by the first Greek waiter that crosses your path without any reference to who will pay for the child's wellbeing.

[barn_stormer]

you are too old and not young and hot enough for good gifts

[Asker]

Well.. I am definitely younger and hotter than him. So he can dream that he would get anyone better.

[barn_stormer]

guys in their mid 40s can get younger girls if they want

[Anonymous]

Go cheap on him and see how he likes it. Maybe he'll get the message?