I've always given women nice gifts. Since my mid 20s I've always had phone numbers for sales assistants of all the top brands in pretty much every major city. Only because my ex-wife and all my girlfriends always received nice stuff from me. I love doing it. That said on my birthday women have always given me shit gifts, I always appreciated them regardless. It never stopped me from being from being generous any way, because it isn't really being generous if you expect something in return.

It was my bday this past week and my ATF went all out. I'm afraid to look up the prices on all the stuff she got me but I've probably owned cars cheaper than what she got me. She definitely spent more money on me than anyone has ever (not counting to cost of my parents raising me).

Pretty funny that the first woman to leave me speechless due to their generosity is a provider (granted we're also good friends in real life).

So for all the guys who say it's dumb to buy gifts for providers, if you're a good client and you're generous, since they're very transactional by nature, your generosity will likely be reciprocated better than with any civvie.

That was encouraging to read. I have a regular side girl and as her birthday approaches I’m thinking about 5 or 6 significant gifts. She doesn’t buy me stuff but she has made me feel special in her own way..😆

I can totally relate because I spoil my loves & friends in real life too. I always reciprocate because that’s how I show I am grateful. I even cook for them several meals a day. It’s nice to be thankful.

It's true it is not a gift if you require something in return. However if you aren't getting something in return, it's best to move on.

Also, a gift giver always gets something in return: at minimum, they get the good feeling that comes with giving to others.

 
And there are ways to show appreciation for a material gift besides a response in kind. For providers (not all of whom are able to give their clients gifts that cost more than a car), that could mean OTC time.  

that is not a good reason, IMHO to give a gift.

 
What is a good reason (outside of concerns such as etiquette, etc.) is that it makes you feel good to give the person a gift.

 
Otherwise you risk being seen as insincere since women, at least in my experience. are experts at detecting this.

It's reality. The world is full of moochers, users, and exploiters. Not everyone is worthy of your gifts.

Their reaction is all the reciprocity I need tbh. Seeing a girl's face light up like that is what does it for me. Bonus is when I actually see them wear/use it.

the people who need “gifts” the most are those most unlikely to reciprocate, as they don’t have the means to do so.  Most of my giving to others is to people I know need the help, and who will never know where it came from.  What does someone have to do to be “worthy” of a gift, anyway?

 
You were on the right track with, it’s not a gift if you expect something in return. But what you said after that tells me you don’t agree with it.

Btw when I said cheaper than a car I meant like the cars I owned in college....not what I drive now