With the recent passing Father's Day we're hoping you didn't disappoint your dad by buying him another pair of socks or one of those flamboyant ties which dad will wear once, purely because he feels obliged to. Such thoughtless gifts won't be seen again until years later when you're tidying up the garage and see he's used that rather expensive designer tie to bind a stack of golf clubs that he found during council clean up in the late 80s. The truth is that while dad might smile and say thank you, deep down inside a piece of his self respect dies every time he opens a present.

Whether you realise it or not, most Father's Day gifts are backhanded compliments or subtle digs at his manhood or intellect. Think about it, buying your dad a pamper pack or aftershave tells him that his hygiene is on par with a pirate's; a how-to book suggests the exact opposite- that he has no idea how to do anything. Buy dad a nice shirt and you imply that he can't dress himself and if you go all out and buy dad a plasma screen TV or home theatre system it's a death sentence written as if to say, "take this and stay out of our way, especially when I have friends over."

Indeed, dads are the hardest to buy presents for. If any of the scenarios described above sound familiar, it's not too late to salvage that last scrap of pride that dwells somewhere within his large manly chest.

Clearly presents and material goods aren't the way to win dad over, it's not good enough to just make breakfast in bed and leave your gift at the door on your way out to lunch with friends. Dads are people too and deserve a little bit of attention. When you next see your father, sit him down and spend some quality time with him. Much like the family dog, fathers will sit in the corner without making a fuss, but any attention is always appreciated. A rub on the tummy or scratch behind the ears is usually all it takes.

After a bit of quality time, it might be nice to take an interest in what your dad does. If he is often found watching a game of football on a Sunday afternoon, why not join him? It doesn't take much to feign interest in football, all you really need to know is that the other team are always a bunch of thugs and no matter what; the ref has got it wrong. Intermittent cries of "off-side" and "great tackle" can never lead you astray.

Alternatively, a number of fathers have been witnessed socialising with other dads at pub, clubs and RSLs. While your father's chosen watering hole may not play loud music, it will sell the same drinks as inner city pubs, usually half the price, so why not wet your whistle with dad?

If all this sounds too exhausting or your dad isn't really the sporting type, you may be able to win him over with a bit of subtle flattery. Everyone likes to think that they are an expert on something. Why not indulge dad with a few curly questions? Something along the lines of, "What do you make of the current changes to the worker's compensation premium system?" or, "Do you think that self-regulation of the media is effective in today's political climate?" or, "Are The Beatles the most influential band of last century? Or do you think The Rolling Stones or Elvis have had a much greater impact on modern music?"or even,"What that's you're eating?"

These simple acts of devotion should restore your dad's faith in his self-worth and have him forgetting all about those ridiculous gadgets and thoughtless gift vouchers he got for Father's Day.