In my second ever job, lawn care, a client wanted to give me a Christmas gift of some cash. I had a personal connection--I worked closely with their son in my first job.

I hadn't been offered a gift yet at work, and it felt wrong for some reason--I was young and naive. He insisted many times, and I refused.

When it was over, he seemed hurt, and he treated me in a less friendly way afterwards.

So that was how I learned the lesson. When someone wants to give you a gift, you accept it graciously. It's your duty.

My problem is, I feel bad if I don't put the gift to good use.