by Sherry Ellingson
You've made plans to hang out with a friend and you decide to meet for coffee or dinner. So who pays? The person who invited the other out, do you split the check or does it matter?
Some situations are easy. You go to coffee with a friend and you take turns paying. Or you decide let's just split the check it's easier. Or you may go to a cafe and you can each order and pay separately.
But what happens when you go out and it's not that simple. Let's pretend you meet a friend for dinner. You each have a cocktail and you may get your own entrees. Simple enough.
What if I change it up a bit? You each get a cocktail, she wants an appetizer to share that you don't care for but you get it. Then during dinner she proceeds to order 3 more drinks and you are fine with the one you had. The check comes and you both decide to pay your share because that's what you normally do. But she does not pay her share and wants to split her drink prices which by the way includes more tax and more tip.
So what do you do?
Do you say something or do you just pay the bill and don't make plans with her anymore?
Maybe you split it this time, but the next time you hang out she does the same thing?
Believe me this type of thing happens.
Here's what I recommend; the next time you have plans speak up. So simple! Unless it's a special occasion and you have said from the beginning you are treating her. Tell her that you feel comfortable paying for your stuff. If she objects verbally or nonverbally you'll know that she is taking advantage of the situation and you may reconsider your friendship.
Let's be honest a person who expects you to pay for their drinks or orders a very pricey item off the menu and will not at least offer to pay for themselves is not a considerate person.
It's also a good idea to talk about the restaurant you choose to go to ahead of time when making the plans. Making sure that the pricing is comfortable for anyone who is invited.
What do you think?
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