I am planning a surprise party for my husband's birthday at a restaurant. Am I supposed to pay for the guests' dinners or do they pay for their own? Thanks for any help.
2006-08-28 07:59:52 · 17 answers · asked by sbswecker84 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I definitely think you have to let the guests know one way or the other. Especially if its a big party I wouldnt expect you to pay...but if you dont let the guests know there will probably be at least one person who thinks its on you, and you dont want crabby guests or confusion about paying to ruin the party! What if you offered to pay for appetizers, and note in the invitations that you'll treat everyone to appetizers but dinner and drinks are their own responsibility? Everyone will note your generous offer, which wont cost that much (at least not as much as paying for everything!) and they'll also know that dinner comes out of their own wallet.
2006-08-28 08:10:35 · answer #1 · answered by jenNdan18286 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford it you should pay for it. Is this a restaurant where you can plan what everyone will have in advance? You could tell the guests what is going to be served & if they do not want that they have the option to pay for their own.
2006-08-28 08:02:58 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle *The Truth Hurts 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister-in-law invited all of the family to my brother's surprise birthday at a restaurant. Imagine everyone's surprise when they learned they had to pay for their own meals. We all still talk about how ignorant she is and not always that politely.
You expect people to bring gifts and pay for their own meals to a surprise party at a restaurant - exactly what is your contribution besides telling everyone to come to it?
I think it's very, very tacky.
2006-08-28 08:29:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to be forth coming. Some parties are promoted as BYOB or Open Bar .... so guests know what to expect. If you didn't tell your guests ... you should pick up the tab.
Restaurants are used to parties. To help keep costs down ... they will usually offer you 2or 3 dinners at the same price ... so your guests can choose beef, chicken or vegetarian.
2006-08-28 08:09:55 · answer #4 · answered by Sam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you would be required to pay for the guests since you are inviting them to a restaurant. Hope all goes well and you & your husband have a blast!
2006-08-28 08:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which way you decide to go is up to you and how much $$ you have to throw around. But please be sure to let your guests know in advance. And please, don't be like an acquaintance of mine that picked a very VERY expensive restaurant and then expected everyone to pay for their own (at well over $100 per person).
2006-08-28 08:06:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's entirely up to you and your budget. What you can do is make the check for drinks separate and pay for those or something. Maybe put on the invite "appetizers on me!" so you've made it clear that's all you're paying for.
If you have the money to pay for it all, then do it, but my guess is that your guests will come prepared to pay for themselves.
2006-08-28 08:07:26 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're supposed to make it clear to the guests whether they are expected to pay or you are picking up the tab. Which you do is up to you, but the GUESTS should not be surprised.
2006-08-28 08:02:21 · answer #8 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry,but if you had a surprise party at your house,you'd pay for everything,so it's only fair you pay for the guests meals,tell them drinks are extra so they have to pay for that.Why is it you can't have it at your home? or better yet rent a hall & have it catered?
2006-08-28 08:25:04 · answer #9 · answered by fairy53042000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were having it at home, wouldn't you be supplying the food? You should pick up the tab. But if you can't, at least let the guests know this ahead of time.
2006-08-28 08:05:35 · answer #10 · answered by sheeny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋