re: Ponder with me, if you will, the $50 gift certificate card to Ruth's Chris

I see it as the equivalent of picking up a decent bottle of wine or round of drinks for your and your wife, if he happened to see you two together while dining out. I have a feeling you would think that was nothing but simply a nice gesture.

Personally, I'd be flabbergasted that any "out-of-state friend/business associate" knew, much less remembered my birthday enough to perform any gesture no matter small. In other words, odd gripe.