[bch]

I (think) I know what you’re saying, what I’m saying is that if I said I was interested in your billion dollar automobile startup, and bought you a car as a gesture, you might be excited, until I handed you the keys to a used 1998 Hyundai Excel.

Unless I really am missing the point, because a $500 bicycle really is a pretty cheap machine these days, let alone a $500 tandem.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Excel

[WillPostForFood]

It's the thought that counts right? Tandem is the name, they are gifted a tandem bike, which reinforces the symbolism of doing something together. I'd hope it would be perceived either neutrally, or generate some very small positive feelings, but not negatively.

[bch]

I appreciate all the positive readings.

Maybe it’s that I’m personally more focused on downsizing than accumulating :)

[mathattack]

More that anything creates reciprocity. It’s why I am very wary of taking things from vendors.