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

I have just received a random Birthday greeting from an out-of-state friend/business associate of significant means and a net worth that exceeds mine by a factor of ten. I am grateful. But yet I wonder, what is this for ?

A glass of wine and a salad ? Two appetizes and the tip ? Two rounds of drinks at the bar?

What is the MINIMUM gift certificate you would give to a Steak house or something considered to be in the "fine dining" category? I say it's $100. That's almost written in stone. That should get 60 to 70% 0f a very simple meal without drinks. $150 would be pretty standard . $200 would be rather generous. $250 or higher would be pretty rare unless it's someone who relies on your business or maybe your grandmother.

To offer to defray the costs of a meal is not really a thoughtful gift meant to benefit the recipient, imho, it's more of a social gesture. It's more likely something the recipient forgets about and never redeems. Both parties recognize it as a gesture.


With the premise that ANY GIFT IS GENEROUS and all gifts should be met with GRATITUDE-I need a real world OT Ruling in this matter. What is the minimum amount of a gift certificate you would give to Ruth's Chris ?