i think it is incredibly tacky and rude this person is openly complaining about a gift they've received. the fact they were there when it was purchased completely negates any reasonable stance they may have had. if they have such a problem with the "political implications" of expensive shoes, then they should quietly donate them or sell them and donate the money. not go around with a big "woe is me, however will i live with myself if i wear these jimmy choos!" lament. complaining about how horrible it is to be given $250 shoes is just as bad as bragging about having $250 shoes. i don't even understand this story. at what sort of event will it even matter if this person is wearing expensive shoes? is this like a sugar daddy/trophy wife situation? or is this like a parent saying "birkenstocks are not appropriate shoes for christmas mass, now you have no excuse" kind of thing?