Last week I was invited to a lunch by an old acquaintance/friend (co-owner of Company X). The invite was via text message, and loosely read:

"The celebration of Company X's 10 year anniversary is planned for this Sunday, and we'd like to see you there. We'll meet up @ 2 o clock at Y Restaurant, where we'll share a 5-course meal with some good wine, grappa and so on, and afterwards will be going to town. RSVP"

I had some other place to be at at first, but replied that I'd meet them at the restaurant later on.

I got to the restaurant at ~5 o clock, had some nice food, some wine, a few drinks and a good time, before we split up 3-4 hours later.

Today I got the following text from the same guy:

"Gentlemen, thanks for a very nice sunday together. As mentioned during the day, we've paid the bill of $2.000, and hope that you'll chip in with whatever you think is reasonable to account number ZZZZZZZ one of the nearest days. We were 10 guys, and the food was around ½ the bill."

Some background info:

- I would consider Company X to be a reasonably succesful company managing 15 gas stations, a couple of convenience stores and some other smaller stuff. Both owners give the impression of being succesful (big cars, nice houses and so on)
- Both owners were present at the celebration. I wouldn't consider any of them to be close friends, but I've known both for a long time, and see them a couple of times a year. I knew most of the people present, and would consider a couple of participants friends of mine
- apparently one of the owners gave a speach on the day (before I came) saying (among other things) that they'd pay the bill, but would appreciate, that each one paid their own share afterwards
- Paying any part of the bill will in no way be any financial problem for me
- Since I was 3 hours late, I probably drank a litlle less than the average guest, but drank and ate as much as the others while I was there

I think it's kind of douchey to send out an invite to celebrate yourself/your company, and then later on send out a bill for the participation, regardless of whether or not this was mentioned during the day, but will probably just end up paying a tenth of the bill. What do you say OOT?

It is douchey, Henry is trying to stifle his rage before responding.

You should however contribute and expect this if they do a similar event in the future.

ask goofyballer about the appropriate portion to pay when you show up late to an event

To clarify "we were 10 guys" means there were 10 people total or there were 10 guys and 5 women and the women arent expected to pay? Do you work for Henry iow?

Id pay for some approximation of what I "spent" and would probably be a bit pissed about it given the way it went down.

@Phill: 10 people total

If you were invited to a celebration dinner you have no obligation to pay, and it is incredibly rude to make a statement during a party to the invitees that they are expected to pay.

But frankly your story seems really odd. Only 10 people were there, including 2 owners and you. So only 7 other people associated with this company attended? And no wives? Or was it only 3 people with the company plus spouses?

No company throws a celebration dinner and asks the guests to pay. If they do, then the company isnt actually throwing the party. Rather its asking other people to throw a party for them. Sorry OP, but this story doesnt seem on the up and up as told.

I googled Company X and came up with no results that resemble the company you describe. I hate to break it to you, but your buddy is trying to scam you.

$0.

Showing up 3 hours late expecting free food is pretty douchey too, probably not as much as company x, but still.

OP,

Prob easiest to just pay the full $2000 and tell everyone involved it's all taken care of.

I'd send a thank you card.

If $2000 means nothing to you this is the easiest way to let Company X know they have zero manners. Make sure to broadcast to everyone that you paid for them because they don't know how invitations to hosted events work.

Buy company, sack management, then throw a party to celebrate. Bill former management for it.

Would do my best to pay for exactly what I consumed and no more.

Chances are slim that I would be accepting any more invitations from old acquaintance/friend/co-owner of Company X.

Inviting people to a company celebration dinner and then sending out bills is ridiculous.

Wouldn't be surprised if the total bill here was actually $700 and Co-Owner of Company X is scamming ya'll. Seems like quite the reputable sort.


Sending only a thank you card is also an acceptable play here.

http://www.co-x.co.uk/

http://www.companyxpuppets.com/Compa...X_Puppets.html

One of these two imo. I hope it's the puppets one.

PS.: The real question is how much you should tip?