Gift Giving Etiquette?

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I have no idea what the etiquette for gift giving is and hopefully someone here can shed some light on it. When a friend/ex gives you a gift such as a ring and they decide to no longer be a friend, are they allowed to ask for and receive it back? I was told that because the ring was given to me as a symbol of a relationship and we are no longer in one, I have to hand it back to them. The thing is when they gave me the ring, I asked why and the response was "No reason". The only other thing was this person made a promise and broke it.

I am so confused.

If it was a promisory ring or an engagement ring and the agreed upon plans were terminated, I think it's expected that the rings are returned. If your ring was a gift, it's yours to keep - particularly if the ring was given to you for "no reason". Was it a diamond ring? Expensive?

He told me he bought it and when it was given to me, it was taken off of someone else's finger and given to me. It's a silver Celtic knot ring. I know for a fact it was not bought but given to me. The value of the ring itself is $15.

I forgot to mention that I was in a very strange relationship that involved me, him, and his fiancee.

just to get the thing over with, i'd give the ring back.

I was reading a neuroscientist's essay on Aspergers a few days ago. One thing that stood out to me was about gift giving. It said that whereas the NT gives a gift for reciprocal purposes (i guess giving back and forth is part of signifying an ongoing friendship) reciprocal: as in expecting to receive a gift in return), an aspie gives altrustically ( not expection something in return) solely justbecause they want to give someone something. Maybe this had something to do with him wanting it back, i.e. he feels he didn't get his fair share... Or maybe he just wants to sell/pawn it or something. Whatever the reason, Id just give it back to end the drama. But as far as proper etiquette is concerned, once a gift is given its yours and improper for the other person to ask for it back.

i realize this is an older thread. but maybe it will be helpful down the road. i never knew that ppl usually expect something in return before i read that article. Knowing that has helped me. I think sometimes ppl do give just to be nice, just usually it for getting something back.