I have a friend who loves giving gifts, and she’s really thoughtful about it. Whenever she gives me something, I make a point to open it in front of her because I enjoy sharing that moment and showing appreciation.
A couple of months ago, for her birthday, I gave her a bag with a few things she had mentioned before wanting or being curious about..
But I’ve noticed that when I give her gifts, she doesn’t open them in front of me. She usually takes them home and later sends a text saying she liked them (sometimes mentioning one item specifically).
It made me realize I don’t know what the “norm” is here. I personally like seeing the reaction in the moment, but I also don’t want to impose that expectation if it’s not standard etiquette.
Is it generally considered polite to open gifts in front of the giver, or is it just personal preference? And would it be rude to mention that I enjoy seeing her reaction?