The question

I am getting increasingly weary about having to sign birthday and leaving cards for colleagues. Other people write funny things and add kisses but I can never think of anything original to say, so I usually write "good luck" or "happy birthday" and do not include kisses. I also never know how much money to put in the envelope. For a birthday for a colleague I don't like much, I only put in £1 but then feel mean. Are there any rules to make this odd process easier?
对于自己不得不在同事的生日贺卡和离职纪念卡上写留言，我越来越感到厌烦。其他人能写出有趣的东西，并送上一个香吻唇印。但是我从来想不出任何原创的东西，所以通常只写"祝好运"或者"生日快乐"，而且不附上"香吻"。我也从来不知道该在信封里放多少钱。如果是我不太喜欢的同事过生日，我只放1英镑，但觉得自己很吝啬。有没有什么规则可以使这种古怪的事情变得简单些？

LUCY'S ANSWER

Yes, there are rules, but you seem to know them already. It has taken me decades of pen-sucking over these wretched cards to work out that it is easy. Your colleagues may make this into a contest of lame witticisms, but you can simply opt out.
是的，确实有规则，但你似乎已经知道了。在写贺卡这件令人讨厌的事上，我咬了几十年笔头才得出结论：其实很简单。你的同事可能将它视为一场写蹩脚俏皮话的比赛，但你完全可以选择退出。

For a birthday card, here is what you say: Happy Birthday. Then you sign your name. You are right about kisses, they are not called for. These little crosses have multiplied on office cards as part of a trend to emotional incontinence. Before long "Luv ya loadz" may be seen on office cards, so it is good to know that you and I, at least, are holding out.
对于一张生日贺卡，你可以这么写"生日快乐"，然后签上你的名字。你对"香吻"的看法是对的，这并无必要。作为情绪失控潮流之一，这些"香吻"正在办公室卡片上成倍增加。不久，"Luv ya loadz"之类的俗文字可能出现在办公室卡片上，因此，很高兴知道至少有你和我在抵制此事。