Ok to Go Dutch or Pick up the Bill?

If YOU invite a group to go to dinner to celebrate YOUR birthday then YOU need to pick up the entire tab.

I would never invite friends to a dinner and expect them to pay their own way.

just be open...."let's go "dutch" & hit this restaurant".

I'm with T F on this O.. If you invite your friends and choose the restaurant, then pick up the tab.

put on the invite or say were going dutch for my birthday. usually one of the friends will pay for your meal although i think its tech up to you to pay for everyone. but say your going dutch. they are your friends and should not get there feelings hurt over it. you can also state no gifts please. truly for adults i dont get gifts...if i do they are under ten bucks ( a card and there fav candy )

If you could, I'd try to pick up the tab. But if you can't do that, then be up front ahead of time and say that it's dutch. That way they can choose not to go if they want. I don't think it's a big deal. We do that all the time. Sometimes we pay and sometimes we go dutch. You can mention that it's your birthday or not. They probably already know, right? Have an awesome time whatever you decide. I don't think you can go wrong in this case. Good luck!

Depends on the relationship. If they are super close (I'm thinking of the couples I would invite to mine) and no one is super wealthy, We would just be honest that it would be dutch. Knowing our friends, they would offer to split with my hubs to cover mine. This would be the same in reverse, actually last year, my friend invited us all to meet at a restaurant, and NO ONE let her pay. Everyone pitched in even though she invited everyone. Other people we know announce their birthdays and have everyone meet at pubs and no one lets them buy their own food and drinks.

For people more distant and formal, yes you should pay. Or if you're rich and it's nothing to you, you can show flare by being generous. But in reality, lots of people realize what paying for 8 people in a nice restaurant with drinks and merriment would cost, and not expect that.

**A good angle is to have your husband invite everyone to celebrate your birthday and be up front about dutch, then you wouldn't be the one inviting:) It was my friend's SO who actually invited to the restaurant, he didn't specify dutch, but we all pitched in. He probably would have paid if it came to it, but our group doesn't expect someone to cough up hundreds of bucks if we're all enjoying the night and have jobs and can pay.

Wouldn't your friends know it's your birthday?

Have your husband arrange the dinner and let him and your friends worry about the details...after all, it is YOUR birthday. If your friends want to give you a gift...let them.

Happy Birthday.

Blessings.....

I would not mention "it's my birthday" if you don't want acknowledgment of it.

I would say - HEY!!! I think it would be a blast to go to Benihana's (or whatever name it is) in a few months - you in?

If you want acknowledgment of your birthday - I'd pay.

Our rule is if we invite, we pay.
If it's a group thing - we split the bill evenly.

GOOD LUCK! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

When we go out we all split the bill. We usually buy the birthday person a drink.

I wouldnt expect my friends to pick up my tab, but a few of them would anyway.

We are close enough ad all in the same financial situation that we go Dutch. Unless have been given a gift card, then we love to pick up the tab..

We would rather be honest about our financial situation with good friends and enjoy time together, than avoid going out or inviting people to join us because we do not want to admit, we just cannot afford to pay for everyone.

We have done this before with friends and I have gone in with the assumption we would pay becuase I considered it kindof a birthday party. But our friends insisted on paying for themselves. I am sure it will work out and you'll end up going dutch.

go dutch. but chances are one or both may try and pick up ur tab.

Hi A.,
I have done this before with 3 other couples, and we picked up the tab. If you were throwing a party for yourself, in your own home, would you have your friends bring all the food, drinks, and cake?

If you don't tell them it is for your birthday, but just to have a good time, then you are not really "celebrating, " are you?

I suggest you find a less expensive venue for your party. Mine was at an Italian restaurant, where they served "family style," (big platters of food for everyone to share), and I think everyone had a great time.

Most of all: Have Fun!!! Party like it's your birthday!
t