Should 18 year olds have to pay for birthday dinners?

Question

okay,so my 18th birthday is coming up,and I invited a few friends out to dinner at Applebees,however I wanted to know, is it appropriate, to have everyone pay for their own meals.I do have a part time job,but make very little money.This is my very first dinner party, and turning 18 is a big age for me,and I wanted to celebrate it with friends. =(

Answer 1

no depends on which place you going to...where are you? do you have valentines there?its dine free

Answer 2

i would have expected my friends to if i were turning 18! if they don't have a job (and definitely don't spend your check on it) they can get it from their parents probably. oh, and please tip your server. if they are mean and/or crappy- leave 10%.....nice and good leave 15-20%. who knows. you could be a server one day.

happy early bday!

Answer 3

Well... I think so... Cuz ur inviting ur friends.. But dont pay :D just make up this excuse and tell ur parents sumthing like "mom/dad i know im 18 but n i wanna invite my friends to a restaurant BUT (really big excuse) so what do u think?" XD

Answer 4

They should pay their way.  I suggest you get a pdf copy of their menu, with prices,  to pass out to them.  This gives them  an idea of how much it is going to set them back.

Answer 5

Yeah..... You don't just let a guest to pay for your meal. thats like inviting a friend over and making them cook for you.

Answer 6

I think it is alright for them to pay for their own meal unless you expect gifts.

Answer 7

You should plan on paying so bring enough money.  If your friends are able to pay and want to pay they will ensure that you do not by getting the bill away from you or intercepting it before it hits the table.  You should be comfortable with paying before you go to dinner and plan on having a good time.

Answer 8

If anything, they should split the cost of your meal.  It's YOUR birthday, after all.  It was always kind of an unspoken rule between my friends that if we were out for a birthday dinner, we'd all split the cost of the birthday boy/girl's meal.  If worst comes to worst, you'll end up paying for your own meal.  But I don't think they'll expect you to pay for theirs..

Answer 9

no i think u shouldnt pay because its ur special day

Answer 10

Well, yes and no. You invited them out for your birthday... so you were the one who invited them and they were the invitee... but more than likely a friend will cover your dinner! I did that for a friend of mine on her bday last year!

happy birthday!! :)

Answer 11

offer but i am sure you wont end up paying unless they are fake friends

Answer 12

You invited a few friends out to dinner at Applebees, Ok Be sure to call your friends to expalain them again you would like for them for their own meals for your birthday celebration with friends. Just explain them before come to the party.  Have  A  Nice Happy Birthday !!

Answer 13

Ask your parents to pay. I mean it is your birthday and just because your considered an "adult" at 18 doesn't mean your parents have to stop paying for your celebration just yet.

If your parents won't pay just tell your friends that they have to pay for their own meal. They will probably even offer to pay for you since it's your birthday! If you tell your friends ahead of time that they have to pay for their meal, they'll save a little ahead of time and if they don't have much money they can get an inexpensive meal.

Answer 14

Not only should you NOT be paying for your friends meal...but since it's YOUR birthday, they should be offering to pay for YOURS!  Yes you asked them to go  to dinner with you, but you asked them to go celebrate your birthday...and I would hope your friends were classy enough to pay for your meal.

Answer 15

Well you shouldn't pay at all because they're your friends, and it's your special day! They should all put there money together and pay for themselves and you.

Answer 16

you know, these are your friends, and I'm sure they dont have any more money than you do. just talk to them ahead of time, and tell them that you cant afford to pay for everybodys meal,that they each have to pay for their own. that way they are prepared, no surprises-i think its crazy to expect a kid to pay for all his friends-they will understand-ive often gone out to birthday parties, and we all pay for our own-its done all the time- hope you have a great birthday.

Answer 17

It depends on who you are inviting.  If your friends have jobs, then they should pay.  It is the mature thing to do.  If they don't have money then you can't expect them to pay.  Hopefully you have considerate friends that will pay for their own food.

Answer 18

whatever u decide, u need 2 b sure 2 b clear w/ur frenz.....iwudnt wnna b surprised at the end of the nite w/a bill.

Answer 19

i think 18 is lenty old to pay for thier own meals. when me and my girl friends go out for dinner we always pay seperatly. even at parties...

Answer 20

You should consider your friends income. Do they have jobs?  It would be different if they were inviting you out for your birthday and they were to pay for yours. But since your inviting them, that means you are footing the food bill and they are bringing the gifts. It may lead to hard feelings later if they get hit with a dinner bill and buy a gift.

Answer 21

no way

they're turning 18!

i mean, they shoulnd't invite the whole town but one or two friends should be fine.

Answer 22

I would let your friends know that you are getting together with some other people for your birthday and if they can make it you would like to see them there. I think it is pretty much understood that everyone pays for themselves. Hopefully they will chip in so you don't have to pay since it's your big day.

be careful at applebees they sing to you! But you get ice cream so it is a fair trade.

happy birthday!