Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

1 2

AIBU?

...to think I shouldn´t be the one that always pays...

32 replies

peterpie · 27/02/2013 16:14

I meet with a friend every week and 9 times out of 10 I end up paying the bill for our coffee or whatever we have had.
I don´t think it´s because she is skint or anything like that and it´s not like she even acknowledges it.
Despite me paying last week I ended up paying again today, even though I hung on hoping she would do the honours.
I don´t have many friends where I live and apart from this I like her a lot but I am starting to feel like a mug and it´s not a good feeling.

OP posts:

Report

Lavenderhoney · 28/02/2013 04:37

I see- then at the start, ask for separate bills. When the order or orders are taken, say oh please could you give us separate bills?
If she says she has no cash, then I guess depending on how much you like her, ou can stump up one last time. Or just say best leave it today then.

No one goes out without cash to a planned coffee! And she could always suggest a mini picnic and walk in the park instead when you arrange.

peterpie · 27/02/2013 19:03

Let me clarify, where we live it´s all table service so you order then get up and pay at the end. Most of the time she says she has no cash or she makes herself "busy" with her child...At first I didn´t think too much of it, I assumed she would start to pay subsequent weeks, guess I am more stupid than I thought.

Thanks again for all the comments and advice, I´ll be ready next time!!

OP posts:

MrsMushroom · 27/02/2013 18:47

Carabos I think loaded people are "good" at not spending ANY money when they can get away with it.

Hence the richest woman I know...her DC's shoes are always barely waterproof...she never buys what she can get for free.

She owns three homes and a successful business...wonder why?

Lavenderhoney · 27/02/2013 18:40

How does she manage not to pay? Is it table service and you pay at the end? Which means you are also tipping for her - Or do you stand at the counter and the server says " together?" and you say yes?

For future yes get there a bit early and pay for yourself or tell the waitress to bring your bill at once.

Next time though, when it's pay time push the bill at her and say " it's your turn!"

Do you do most of the talking? That's a lot of times to be messed about with paying. It's not about who has more money etc - if she says she can't afford it then say oh gosh then eats just go for a nice walk next time. You don't have to have coffee or treat her. Surely there are other people where you live?

theoriginalandbestrookie · 27/02/2013 18:37

I don't get it though carabos. I wouldn't be friends at all with a person that was deliberately tight. It would fester away inside and I would just rather spend time with folks who do pay their way rather than engineering meetings so that they don't involve spending money.

carabos · 27/02/2013 18:33

I'm like MrsMushroom in that my freeloading friend is loaded. Despite years of crying on my shoulder over her divorce and her out of control DS and me putting her into not one but two high paying jobs and giving her business advice, she has never bought me so much as a cup of tea. I always pay.

I'm wise to it now and don't see her under any circs other than at her house .

theoriginalandbestrookie · 27/02/2013 18:31

Look she may be tight or thick skinned, but the third option is that she genuinely hasn't noticed.

Either suggest she pays next time as its her turn, or if you don't want to be so assertive, then say that you're a bit skint and going forward can you each get your own.

TheMaskedHorror · 27/02/2013 18:28

Er you dont need to say that whole thing on my previous post. don't know why the apostrophe, which was meant to be a speech mark, is right at the end.

Another suggestion is to say breezily (of course) "Would you mind getting these today? I'll have a large latte with an extra fat slice of chocolate cake. Thanks!"

Cherriesarelovely · 27/02/2013 18:27

Well, you may be unassertive but your friend is unbelievably thick skinned and rude! My friends and I always take turns and are always aware of whose turn it is. Definitely don't put up with this anymore.

StuntGirl · 27/02/2013 17:48

Next time say "I think it's your turn to pay this week. I'll have a [insert order here]" and smile.

MrsMushroom · 27/02/2013 17:45

I have/had a friend like that...irony is that she's loaded.

I just can;t work out WHY people do it. It's so rude!

Forget your purse next time.

TheMaskedHorror · 27/02/2013 17:42

Or just say 'yours is £2.50 and wait for her to give you the money before you order or pay'

meddie · 27/02/2013 17:14

She does it because you allow her too. Just sit down and breezily announce. "I think its your turn to pay this week"

How is she managing to get you to pay. Does she get you to go up and order so you have to pay then? In that case as you sit down just say. "Oh the coffee was £2:50 by the way. Do you want to pay now or would it be easier for you to pay for both next week?"

Does she plead poverty when the bill comes? doesnt have change? then get there early and just buy your own. The onus is then on her to get up and get hers and pay for it.

PopeBenedictsP45 · 27/02/2013 17:10

thanks Znaika :)

I live abroad too, peter and am also a bit short of friends so I feel your pain.

peterpie · 27/02/2013 16:51

It´s frustrating as I do enjoy her company but then I start to think if she can take the mick like this she´s not a true friend

I just don´t get why people do this

I live abroad and am very short of friends

OP posts:

znaika · 27/02/2013 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

JohnSnowsTie · 27/02/2013 16:46

I had a friend like that.

We once made the mistake of discussing salaries, and when she realised I earned a pittance more than her per year she made sure she got her share of it by always pleading poverty whenever the bill turned up!

Still, lesson learned...

peterpie · 27/02/2013 16:44

Thanks everybody.

OP posts:

umiaisha · 27/02/2013 16:43

Can't stand freeloaders like this.

I would struggle to be polite and maintain a friendship like this.

PopeBenedictsP45 · 27/02/2013 16:39

Yes, do what ElliesWellies said, that's a good suggestion. And do it every time!

Pandemoniaa · 27/02/2013 16:38

YANBU. I go for a most therapeutic coffee every week with a small group of friends. We've always paid for ourselves because it's fairer and much easier than trying to remember whose turn it is. So I think you need to establish ground rules like this yourself. Otherwise you'll always pay up. It's not a question of whether you can afford to either, it's just plain wrong to be expected to.

ElliesWellies · 27/02/2013 16:38

I'd just take cash and put down enough to pay for your own.

Enough is enough.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

peterpie · 27/02/2013 16:37

PopeBenedictsP45 - In another life I would do exactly that !

OP posts:

peterpie · 27/02/2013 16:34

The MaskedHorror - I totally agree. It is so annoying especially when you know you wouldn´t do it yourself. My memory is bad but I would know when it was my "turn", especially when it´s on a weekly basis. Grrr

Ironically, today I really was a little short of cash and mentioned it in passing and even that didn´t make any difference (sigh...)

OP posts:

PopeBenedictsP45 · 27/02/2013 16:34

Take a packed lunch next time and unpack it sadly while saying that you've spent all your money on her and now have none left for fripperies like meals out.

Unflip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.