Who pays for the dinner?

Question

If it was someone's birthday and you were invited to it. Would you expect them to pay for the dinner, or would you expect that you had to pay for your own meal? And would you get a gift for them?

Answer 1

Do you truly expect the birthday girl to pay for 10 people's dinners on HER birthday? Would you?

Somehow I doubt it.  Play nice and go if you feel she is a good friend to you.... gift or no gift... she obviously wanted to spend her birthday with people she knows and likes.  Enjoy it! Do you really need a reason to celebrate?! Have fun!

Answer 2

look at habit.  when you go out as a group, is the check split up?  if so, you should pay for yourself.  if someone (like a parent) is HOSTING the event, you may get a free meal.  in general etiquette circles:  only at WEDDINGS would you expect to receive a free meal.  and, ALWAYS bring a gift.  a great gift idea is a small donation to a charity that s/he may be involved with: animal rescue, red cross, political donations, cancer society, e.g.

if you are part of a group of friends that traditionally don't give gifts, then a nice card will do fine.

Answer 3

id bring my own money just in case they didnt pay for it, but the gift is depending on how well you actually know the person.

Answer 4

Whoever does the inviting is usually the one who pays for the meal, otherwise it should be stated upfront. All guests should bring the birthday person a gift whether the you pay for the meal or someone else does. I would know to begin with as to who was paying for the meal. This is just a common courtesy.If someone else is paying for the meal, it is nice if the guests contribute to the tip or at least offer.

Answer 5

Usually when I take someone out for their birthday the group of us splits the Birthday persons check as a nice gesture, but I know other people do it differently. I don't think gifts are necisary but a nice card is always thoughtful.

Answer 6

i would expect to pay for my own meal, its not my birthday after all. and bringing a gift is up to you. how well you know them etc

Answer 7

Well I would have no doubt about a gift because that is what you give somebody on their birthday and as far as paying for my meal that is something that I,if I invited you to come,then I would pay for it.

Answer 8

I would deffinatly NOT expect them to pay for my dinner. I would pay for my own! And yes...I would bring a gift!

Answer 9

It depends.  Sometimes, it's a get together of friends and everyone pays their own and then divides the cost for the birthday person.  Other times, the birthday person or their family invites friends and covers the bill.  You can get a nice card and a small gift --maybe lottery tickets or a gift card, etc...

Furthermore, it also depends on one's age, social status, group of friends, etc.  If it's a group of 20 somethings then yeah they usually divide up the bill and each person pays for themselves.. But if it's a group of corporate people then sometimes one person picks up the cost.  

I'd ask or ask a friend of the person what the protocol will be.

Answer 10

I would expect them to pay for it and i would give them a gift