Yeah, I realize it's a cultural thing, but I still think it sucks. I find receiving a Starbucks gift card much less thoughtful than a greetings card, with or without a banknote included.
The worst are these Visa/Mastercard gift cards that are popular in the US: Often horrendously expensive to the buyer and cash-equivalent to the receiver at best, and broken or scammed and causing them further frustration and possibly monetary losses at worst.
