Should I have paid?

[friend677777]

I'm not the most sociable person, I haven't had any proper friends for a long time. My main social interaction aside from my partner comes from work and outside this I don't really do anything sociable.

But the other day I decided to ask an ex-colleague if she wants to meet up at the pub after work. I got on well with her and it was nice to catch up. We had a cheap meal while there. But afterwards I was thinking - should I have paid because I invited her out? What's the etiquette in these situations - does the person who invited the other pay or does each person pay for themselves?

No you don’t need to pay for the other person. I think she would have been astounded if you had offered.

I agree. It's usual to just pay for yourself or split it in that situation.

If you intend to pay, you say "my treat" when issuing the invitation. e.g., "Fancy a drink/meal this evening? My treat."

Otherwise it's assumed each will pay for their own.