I can't go dutch

[Whatinthedoopla]

I am currently low on funds, and will be going out to a distant cousin's birthday, but didn't realise the meal is costing £80! And this is without drinks!
I accepted the invitation before knowing the price.

I assume people will be drinking alcohol etc, I am literally going to order 1 soft drink and that's it!

How do I politely decline going Dutch? These are family members I don't see often

Just say you can’t go if it’s not even someone close to you!

"I'm sorry, watching the pennies as it's nearly Christmas, I'll be paying for myself tonight" possibly chuck a fiver in the pot towards the birthday persons meal.

Just don't go.

You can't decline paying for yourself

you'll not be able to go, surely

have I misunderstood the term?

I’d feign illness and have a night in…. But I’m not a social butterfly and probably would have declined the invitation.

How do I politely decline going Dutch? These are family members I don't see often
Sorry to quibble, but by 'going Dutch' do you mean splitting the bill evenly? Dutch would mean each person pays for what they have, which would suit you.

You don't have to go, anyway, you could just send apologies. Very expensive.

Ditch it. Don't go Dutch. Gey yourself a takeaway instead

Just send apologies and don't go.

You can’t politely decline going Dutch, if you want to go you need to pay you’re share and if you can’t afford it you need to say you can no longer make it

That’s a lot. Don’t go. No need to give an excuse just say sorry that I can’t attend the birthday dinner - wishing you all the best.

@SoNiceToComeHomeTo going Dutch means to split the bill evenly

If OP can only afford 1 soft drink they definitely can’t afford a take away 🙈

Then it's being used in a way that I've never heard, but perhaps it has changed its meaning over the years.

Diarrhoea is a complete sentence.

I’m with you - where I’m from, going Dutch means to pay for yourself.

Yes. Don't go. You can't really afford it. And I will look odd if you sit with one soft drink all night.

You can't go and not pay for your share. If you can't afford to pay then you need to decline the invitation asap.

This. That's so much money.

Well, it's obviously that you just shouldn't go. What is less obvious is how to tell the inviter. Should you be honest and tell them what you've told us here, or should you feign an illness?

Yes it is 😂

This sort of thing is very unfair. Why do people think it’s reasonable to assume that everyone can afford an £80 meal?

No it doesn’t!

It really does

By the 'going Dutch' in the title, i thought you were talking about on a date!!

I came to tell you to dump the bastard! 🤭🤭

Don't go op, just make an excuse x