<p>How about a donation to a charitable organization in your name? Or a supply of your favorite home-cooked food? Or a scrap book with a few long-forgotten photos of family and friends?</p>
<p>^
Don’t ask for a broken record though.</p>
<p>I guess it’s a reasonable lesson in wording a question.</p>
<p>Suggested alternatives: </p>
<p>“My parents have asked me to tell them what I would like for a birthday present.” </p>
<p>“My parents said they couldn’t think of anything to give me for my birthday, and gave me an “IOU.” Now I have to figure out what to ask for.”</p>
<p>I think it’s reasonable to say they “owe” you a present. My gosh everyone gets so bent over the stupidest stuff things around here! Maybe they didn’t get anything on OPs actual bday so they said they “owed” him a gift and asked what he wanted. Has happened to me many time, doesn’t mean they went up to their parents all demanding. sheesh!</p>
<p>“My gosh everyone gets so bent over the stupidest stuff things around here!”
This is a brilliant way to prove your point :D</p>
<p>Well I’ve always wanted a nice baseball bat…</p>
<p>I never ask my parents a Birthday present , and if they brought me a present on my Birthday i reject it .
I just don’t like birthdays , i feel they are for kidz only .</p>
<p>what about a trip somewhere?</p>
<p>my parents bought me a 3 week tour of europe for me and my girlfriend for my 19th birthday last year.</p>
<p>imo experience > material goods.</p>
<p>Never claimed to be brilliant 
Having typo’s and a great attitude can usually get you farther anyway! haha :P</p>
<p>Trolling, much?</p>
<p>Even if you’re not trolling, OP, you must realize how fortunate you are that your parents are funding your education and that they are providing for your future. Your parents do not “owe” you anything. If you want something that badly, get a job and pay for whatever you desire with your own money. Your parents won’t be buying everything for you and certainly won’t be paying for all of your bills later on in life; get used to it. I hate to be harsh, but I think you need a major reality check.</p>
<p>“Having typo’s and a great attitude can usually get you farther anyway!”
Not if your an editor for a publishing company :D</p>
<p>I’m alarmed that everyone assumed that the OP meant the word “owe” literally and not facetiously. You guys are a pack of rabid animals today!</p>
<p>This is quite entertaining, haha.</p>
<p>“You guys are a pack of rabid animals today!”
Hey…but I got my shots…</p>
<p>LOL. What? No one screamed “■■■■■” in this thread? This a CC first…this thread goes down in history.</p>
<p>Edit: Ohhh nope. Just saw it. Nevermind!</p>
<p>Absolutely nothing. Your parents already gave you a roof, clothes, and food. Anything more is goodness of their hearts.</p>
<p>[feeding the ■■■■■]</p>
<p>All your lust for the things that your parents “owe” you will go away when it comes time to pay for college.</p>
<p>Some books</p>
<p>Never got any birthday presents for the past 6 years or so.</p>
<p>But that’s fine, idgaf about my birthday anyways.</p>
<p>It’s schocking how aloof and cold your parents are. There are two directions you can take: #1, have an articulate inner dialogue for a few weeks (red rider method) or #2 call the police and say they molested you (South Park method). Which one is up to you.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>