# What Swag Do You Get From Work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674 "2004-12-19T19:52:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/41 "2004-12-20T16:04:29Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Many years back when you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting a SUccessories poster in a workplace, the boss at my job at the time passed out packs of post-its emblazoned with slogans. Mine said “We can’t spell SUCCESS without ‘U’!” I immediately pointed out that we can’t spell “FAILURE” without U either. She was not amused. 😃 I will remember this for future use once I regain control of myself. I have more Starbucks t-shirts than I know what to do with. I never wear them since they are standard cut and not very attractive for female figures. But my son and husband like them. OTOH, a pound of coffee each week is extremely useful and welcome swag. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/42 "2004-12-20T19:49:07Z")
I work for a bank. Do we get samples of currency? No. We do get discounts and freebies on banking services though. Stuff like free checks, a .75% discount on auto finance, home mortgages without the usual basket of points and fees. And free coffee. But no clothing, toys, keyrings, flashlights or cash. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/43 "2004-12-20T20:10:16Z")
I walked into work this morning and nearly freaked out, because I could smell smoke. Just a little smoke, like papers smoldering in a trashcan somewhere. I got to my desk and found a present, a single long-stemmed candleholder. I guess we all got one, and someone must have tried theirs out already. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/44 "2004-12-20T20:21:09Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Nothing except for a hipflask we all got given when we moved into new offices. Wow, I would have loved that! That’s really cool. I get t-shirts. I could swim in t-shirts, we get so many. Oh, and our Christmas gifts from the office are usually stupid inspirational (non-religious) things, although this year we got a business card holder. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/45 "2004-12-20T20:23:53Z")
> [@Cinnamon Girl](#): > > I never wear them since they are standard cut and not very attractive for female figures. But my son and husband like them. Let me tell you what’s not attractive to female figures. Few years ago, our company came up with these shirts for Public Affairs. Now, we work for the health of preemie babies. So some idiot came up with the idea of a baby’s face imprinted large across the front of the t-shirts. So the babies’ eyes end up right where most woman’s \*\*nipples \*\* end up, approximately. Our staff is probably 98 % female, and one of the few guys came up with this. Well, no one wears them, but if they did, can you imagine the consternation on a cold day?!? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/46 "2004-12-20T20:28:13Z")
We moved into a new building this year, and the downtown merchants went crazy welcoming us–plants, coupons, freebies, and food galore. It’s slacked off the past month, but it was fun. Mostly it’s just office supplies. ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/47 "2004-12-20T20:43:27Z")
Well, as a formerly employed IT guy, I used to go to trade shows where I’d get a couple of dozen t-shirts, about a hundred pens, coasters, flashlights… just about any kind of schwag you can think of. But the best schwag I get comes from Microsoft, as I’m a registered partner and an occasional technical beta tester. I’ve gotten - absolutely free - from MS: Small Business Server 2003 Windows XP Professional Windows 2000 Professional Windows 2000 Server Windows 2000 Advanced Server Windows 98 SE Office 2003 Office XP Office 2000 An"MSN Plus" subscription (2GB Hotmail) Oodles of free t-shirts, polo shirts, books, pens and more I don’t know why some people think they’re evil… 😃 The best was SBS 2003 - I didn’t beta test it, nor did I request it. I just came from from work one day and there it was on my doorstep. Nothing better than Exchange 2003 for free! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/48 "2004-12-20T21:12:24Z")
Free lunch. I work for a small business and the boss (a) is a man who likes his buffet, and (b) doesn’t like to eat alone. So two or three times a week we make the rounds between all-you-can-eat lunches: today was Thai, other favourites include Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Italian. Really, I have no complaints. I’d much prefer a lunch of endless mussels (mmm … mussels) to another plastic travel mug with a logo on. (And now I’m the one to ask for recommendations for a good lunch buffet in Toronto!) ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/49 "2004-12-20T23:04:15Z")
Let’s see, cell phone, pay for a landline, home office allowance of $600, pay for high speed internet access, I get to keep all my sky miles for travel and bonus points on my corporate credit card. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/50 "2004-12-21T05:28:10Z")
> [@Citygirl852](#): > > Otto, I think we work for the same company. One of my new staff members just got that same “Welcome” package sent to her from home office (where _you_ are??) Aw damn. Now I can’t badmouth them here. I’m afraid you’ll have to quit your job. And on a completely unrelated note _HOLY CRAP!_ About an inch of snow has fallen since I got home about 1/2 hour ago! ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/51 "2004-12-21T07:04:14Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Let me tell you what’s not attractive to female figures. > > Few years ago, our company came up with these shirts for Public Affairs. Now, we work for the health of preemie babies. So some idiot came up with the idea of a baby’s face imprinted large across the front of the t-shirts. > > So the babies’ eyes end up right where most woman’s \*\*nipples \*\* end up, approximately. Our staff is probably 98 % female, and one of the few guys came up with this. Well, no one wears them, but if they did, can you imagine the consternation on a cold day?!? Wow, that’s one bug-eyed baby! :eek: Somehow, I doubt the location of the eyes was a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/52 "2004-12-21T15:56:49Z")
I work for a college and in addition to discounts in the bookstore and cafeteria, I get free or reduced admission to all of the theater, music, and dance performances, which is pretty cool. If I were a full-time employee, I’d get a cord of firewood a year. 😕 Definitely one of the stranger perks fI’ve heard of an academia. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/53 "2004-12-21T16:34:58Z")
I work in the physics department of a major research university. I get as much free liquid nitrogen as I want. ---
**Author:** ![Citygirl852](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@Citygirl852](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Citygirl852)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/54 "2004-12-21T17:42:19Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Aw damn. Now I can’t badmouth them here. I’m afraid you’ll have to quit your job. > > And on a completely unrelated note _HOLY CRAP!_ About an inch of snow has fallen since I got home about 1/2 hour ago! Badmouth them all you want. I haven’t been here long enough to have any real gripes. And with you working at HQ, maybe you can pass along some inside information. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/55 "2004-12-21T17:56:24Z")
I never got anything at my first job other than sunburn. At my second job, the only thing I ever remember getting were occasional picnic lunches and profit-sharing checks but those are more fringe benefits than anything. At my third job, I got a hat. I don’t wear hats. I think I threw it away. Or gave it to my stepdad… I’m not sure. At my fourth and current job, I was allowed to keep my boss’ car for a good three months before I got pulled over in it and she took it away from me. ☹ I also got a free computer until I bought one of my own and a bunch of other really nice things that she and her husband helped me out with when they never had to. ---
**Author:** ![Vevila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@Vevila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vevila)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/56 "2004-12-21T18:05:42Z")
I work for a company that manages adult bookstores. I get free porn - magazines, toys, dvds. Plus there’s free t-shirts and other promo stuff like hats and pens and the like from the various companies which is kinda cool. The stuff I’m sick of getting are the herbal “viagra” samples. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/57 "2004-12-21T18:10:08Z")
all kinds of stuff. T shirts Golf shirts Hats Frisbees USB mini drives Coffee mugs Fleece blankets Nice pen sets LED key chains CD wallets Duffel bags Free software and hardware Stress balls I could go on and on Not to mention all our soda coffee/tea is free also. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/58 "2004-12-21T18:16:12Z")
all kinds of stuff. T shirts Golf shirts Hats Frisbees USB mini drives Coffee mugs Fleece blankets Nice pen sets LED key chains CD wallets Duffel bags Free software and hardware Stress balls I could go on and on Not to mention all our soda coffee/tea is free also. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/59 "2004-12-21T18:19:04Z")
And I’m so proud of it i thought I’d tell you twice! ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674/60 "2004-12-21T18:55:27Z")
I don’t get a lot of stuff other than trade-show related swag. But I got an all-expenses paid trip to Vegas in September (ok, so I had to attend a couple meetings, but \<1 day of work for 3 days of a trip wasn’t a bad deal at all!) and another paid trip to Boston (for a class, but again, it was worth it). We also occassionally get tickets to college basketball games and get to go to various dinners and other functions. I’d rather have trips, dinners, etc. than pens and keychains! Oh, and I just got a ham for Christmas. From my Jewish boss… :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-swag-do-you-get-from-work/280674.md?page=4)