The problem of the open Tikkie

Just as there is now a new era BC, Before Corona, there is what I consider a BT period: Before Tikkie. Because how annoying was it when you used to get 7 euros 50 from someone for a joint gift? You asked once, then again. She would bring it next time, really and truly, and if you asked again, you suddenly became a stingy penny pincher. And then you just let it go. But annoying, it was.

Now there is Tikkie. No matter how small the amount, you can reclaim it without shame. And no one has an excuse anymore (didn't have my wallet, card machine was closed, lost my card) to fall behind when it comes to repaying.

For a while now, maybe it has existed longer but I didn't know it yet, there is the phenomenon of the ‘open Tikkie’. The sender sends an empty Tikkie, for you to fill in an acceptable amount.

With my babysitter, I find that a nice phenomenon. A: because after an evening of partying I lost track of the number of hours she had been there and what was the hourly rate we had agreed on again? And so she texts an open Tikkie so that I can calculate it calmly the next day, and besides, I like to round it a bit up. Just because I am happy with her.

But the open Tikkie can also be a tricky thing. Comparable to the envelope at a wedding. What do you put in it? And is the amount you fill in before the decimal point somewhat determining for your grade? Did you estimate well what the costs should have been? Did you, being generous as you are, round it a bit up? Or did you painfully miss the mark and now there's a cross next to your name?

I recently talked about this with a friend who wondered whether an open Tikkie is a curse or a blessing. I decided to keep assuming the best. An open Tikkie is simply well-intentioned. From the requester and from the giver.

And if someone only judges you based on your monetary gift, then that person is simply not worth your friendship.

So.