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In the past, I've had management stoolies approach me with a demand for a "fixed" contribution towards a manager's leaving/retirement present and I've told them where to stick their demand .....
OTOH, one manager I worked for was so popular that myself and many others spend a lot of time, money and effort on preparing a secret "This Is Your Life"-type leaving presentation for his last night .....
Quite. That is a contribution you willingly make. Not a fee you are charged. Big difference.
So it's the friend whose birthday it is that is asking you for £20, not a friend of the friend? Because I would feel differently if it's a friend of the friend, but a friend asking you directly is weird.
I'd gladly contribute £20 towards a Friends gift,but for a CASUAL Friend who belongs to a same group as I belong to...nae chance!!..HER Friend can go whistle.