Hi, Bob, everything okay?
More or less. There's just one thing bothering me.
Oh? What's that?
Well, you know I have some students studying for their master's degree. One of them tried to give me a gift that kinda made me uneasy.
What gift?
It's an Egyptian carpet. The student came to my office the other day and brought the carpet to show his gratitude. Seeing what gift was, I was really uncomfortable. I mean it's too expensive a gift for a student to give a professor. I don't think I've done anything to deserve that gift, so I refused it.
You refused the gift? That's terrible.
I know, but I really can't accept such an expensive gift. I explained to him why, but he seemed really upset about it. I think he might have taken it the wrong way.
Perhaps. He probably thinks you considered the gift a bribe for a higher grade.
That's what I am worried about. I do understand the respect attached with the gift and I am honored. But I really don't think it's proper for a student to spend a fortune on a gift for a professor. I think we need to have a talk to make sure we are on the same page.