That simply isn't true. I don't *mind* if defaulters go giftless, because that's a sensible, sustainable system, but it isn't a punishment.
One, it just isn't that big a deal to default on a gift exchange. I can think of some circumstances when it's less ideal than others, but when all you know is "they defaulted", it's morally neutral.
Two, have a little imagination and empathy. Someone whose coworkers all called in sick the week before Christmas isn't an asshole. Someone who had inspiration and then had a mental health slump isn't an asshole. Someone with a glorious, ambitious idea that turns out to be way more than they can chew isn't an asshole for realizing this very late in the process.
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One, it just isn't that big a deal to default on a gift exchange. I can think of some circumstances when it's less ideal than others, but when all you know is "they defaulted", it's morally neutral.
Two, have a little imagination and empathy. Someone whose coworkers all called in sick the week before Christmas isn't an asshole. Someone who had inspiration and then had a mental health slump isn't an asshole. Someone with a glorious, ambitious idea that turns out to be way more than they can chew isn't an asshole for realizing this very late in the process.