I don't think DH is being unreasonable. How should he handle this one?

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

DH wants to go out with his mates to watch Wales / England. We live in Wales. It's the biggest event of the year (so I'm a bit hmm about that but never mind)

DH and his mates always go for a big day out. They sometimes go over to Bristol to watch the game in a pub there. It's been a great day out previously.

DH's friend is skint. His business isn't doing well and him and his wife are being very sensible with the cash.

Friend says he won't go to Bristol but is happy to go to a Wetherspoons here (ie cheap beer). DH says he wants to go to Bristol and is happy to give friend money to cover the additional expense.

DH likes friend and wants him to be there. Respects that he's skint and is therefore happy to pay. He reckons another £30 on top to cover train and extra costs of drinking in Bristol. DH is being very genuine about it. Just wants a good day out and wants his mate there.

We suspect that friend will say no due to pride. He's a genuinely nice bloke. And we don't think he'll go for it.

What would you do?

tell dh to tell his friend he insists because he cannot bear leaving his mate in a shitty wetherspeoons pub!! tell him he's paying for ticket, end of discussion, don't want to hear any thankyou's, just accept and enjoy!

What yousaidit said. Your DH just needs to tell his mate that he is coming and one day he can return the favour.

yeah he can repay at a later stage

Absolutely, dh should tell mate to shurrup & enjoy.

Your DH can try what yousaidit said, but if friend still says no, then he has to respect that. If he really wants to spend time with his friend, then for one year, surely he could cut back? All being well, Bristol will still be there next year!

I agree with thumbwitch, it doesn't matter if they go to a local shitty weatherspoons - i don't think the friend should be put under pressure - if they stay local its a whole lot easier surely? I assume they will have a good few drinks - honestly, on occasions like these, its the company not the place that counts.

Hope they sort something out and have a great time. Your DH is being lovely, but i can imagine friend might be uncomfortable about it - i know i would.

i would lie and say that the train ticket was on a deal 2 for 1

pay for the ticket - and don't tell him

Agree with Thumbwitch. Get everyone to come to local Wetherspoons; good company is more important than the location

Good company is more important than the location... however, if you can have both all the better!!

DH should just be straight with his mate and tell him that he knows they could go to Weatherspoons, but that he really wants to go to Bristol but only if he'll go too, currently he's not so strapped for cash and that some of it is his shout (hmm, kiwi word for treat, treat's too girly... so sub for me ), and that at some point when the roles are reversed his mate can feel free to do the same!!

I have been in both positions and as long as you are honest with each other... it's all good.

However as these are blokes, probably best just to tell your DH, to tell his mate, that he'll pay and to shut up!

Else he can always tell a little white lie... that he won some money on the lottery and wants to spend it on them going to the game!