Q. Parents of one of our son’s best friends at school are famous for their tightness. The father makes ‘funny money’ in the City, but they often invite people to their house in Devon, then suggest the guests take them out to restaurants as the mother ‘can’t face’ cooking. They are people my wife and I do not usually see outside of school functions but they recently prevailed upon us to put them up for membership of a certain exclusive club. Because of our sons’ friendship we did so. The desired result having been achieved, the couple rang to thank us and say, ‘We must take you out to dinner.’ My wife and I were delighted to accept their invitation to one of the most expensive restaurants in town. We were impressed by our host’s generosity when he chose the wine (£50 per bottle) and recommended we ‘go for it’ as we perused the menus. The evening was enjoyable and when the bill came I stupidly found myself offering — out of politeness — to contribute towards it. Our host shook his head as he passed his plastic to the waiter and said, ‘Don’t worry’, then adding the cryptic words, ‘I’ll email you in the morning.’ The following morning I received an email telling me my ‘share of the bill’ was £150. What should we do, Mary?
J.F., Petersfield
A. Ignore the email. If you are chased, acknowledge that you did receive it but gasp, ‘I thought you must have sent it to me by mistake because, apart from that dinner you so kindly invited us to to pay us back for getting you into the club, we haven’t been to another restaurant with you.’ Then stay silent while he babbles.
Q.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in