avoiding people who stick you with the tab

[ez]

I was mentally mapping out my holidays and thought of some fun places to do/go...I realize that first I include this one relative who's really fun...but then quickly think, no, because I will be stuck paying for his drinks/ meal etc. This is a person who jet sets quite often around the country, so I guess he is able to pay for things when it suits him, has his own business, lives in a gated community...but he never seems to have "cash" on him. The thing is, it is usually my family, of 5,who I will pay for, plus him, who usually orders alot but he just expects to be absorbed in the bill. So anyone else have a relative like this???Just wondering

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'd hang, but do separate checks. Most dining establishments will run cards separately so his lack of cash excuse would not work.

 

[HM]

I agree with the above. Since you know he's like that...ask for separate checks before ordering. Surely he carries plastic with him....if he doesn't have cash, and can pay his own way.

 

[sbell111]

I agree with the above. Since you know he's like that...ask for separate checks before ordering. Surely he carries plastic with him....if he doesn't have cash, and can pay his own way.

Great solution.

It should be noted that many people go by the rule that the person who invites, pays. Therefore, if this family member is being invited, he might naturally assume that he isn't paying.

 

[dalt01]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq0r0949jJ8

 

[Rafiki31]

I have friends like this as well. They are always whining about how they are broke and can't afford anything, about how this or that has put a big dent in their budget and they are trying to get by but they just stayed at the AK lodge for a week, and they go on 3 or 4 lavish trips a year. They never tell anyone that though! They keep all the trips on the DL. They never speak of them. We found out by accident when we ran in to "Mrs Cheapo"'s mom and she told us about all the fabulous trips the kids have been on the last few years. They have been to Paris, Fiji, Portugal, Italy, Aruba etc etc.

We used to feel so bad for them, we would always end up paying for coffee, dinner, lunch etc. Then when I went back to school I stopped offering to pay for anyone, and now they always want to "each toss in 20" when they order drinks and lobster and we have sandwiches.

We do not go out with them anymore, no more mooches. I doubt they even notice, but they do call every few months.