Workplace Greeting Cards...

CHRISNOIR

Once again a card for a collegue has appeared on my desk, this time of the 'Happy Thirtieth Birthday' variety. Once again I have racked my brains for something amusing to write. Once again I have failed and resorted to scrawling 'Have a great day, all the best' for the millionth time.

Is it possible to put an amusing message in a card without being -

a) Offensive (people can get a bit uppity about age)
b) Wacky, zany ("You don't have to be mad to work here..." etc)


Answers to the usual address on a postcard / sealed-down envelope / public forum...

ChrisLS

...very,very difficult this one. Unless you know the person and their sense of humour, or you banter with them I think "best wishes" etc. is the best...

hammerite

No there is nothing you can put down that is funny. Or at least that is what I always think for people I vaguely know (or have seen across the office!).

If I know the person reasonably well I will try and put an "in" joke between us but that is it.

CHRISNOIR

The in-joke option is a good one until other people ask you to explain it. I've done it before and ended up feeling like a total bell-piece... And it seems like the joke is never as funny again when it's been dissected in the cold, harsh unforgiving light of your collegues bafflement!

ean

All the best (N) with a suitable value for N.

grayo59

Male to female

Wow! You look amazing for 30!

Male to male

You wizened old git, I thought you were about fifty!

Subtle eh?

andyp

Just swear in your message - you'll soon find the card misses you out next time round.

For a leaving card I always find that writing "Good fucking riddance" raises a smile.