I don't like registries for the same reasons listed. I feel if I am giving a gift I should know the person well enough to either know what they like or feel comfortable enough to ask.

We asked for "no gifts please" at our wedding. Being "of an age" and combining two households we didn't need anything. And over the years I had tired of the extortion I often felt....your gift must cover the cost of the dinner??? We just wanted people to join us and we wanted to have a party to celebrate.

On the other hand.....I do understand the practicality of them. I just like to give and receive gifts that have some of the giver in them. (And I use them when my husband asks me to get a gift for one of his many, many cousins or the like!) I said I didn't like them....I didn't say I don't use them....