A dinner guest was left stunned after they were handed a £13.70 bill at the end of a party.
Taking to Reddit, the anonymous Brit explained how he didn't know the hosts prior to attending the event, but they insisted he join them with a mutual friend.
So he went along and gifted them a box of chocolates worth £12.
However, after enjoying a nice meal, he was then shocked when asked to fork out £13.70.
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Writing on Reddit's AskUK forum, he asked users if he should go through with paying them or not.
"I got invited to a dinner yesterday. It was through a mutual friend. So I had not met or knew the hosts. But I am good friends with the mutual," the man explained.
"Anyway I gave them chocolate as a gesture of good will since they were hosting (cost £12).
"I believe that was the right thing, either that or wine."
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He continued: "But anyway then today I got asked to pay for £13.70. I am confused.
"Initially between me and mutual, I said I was fine with not coming since I did not know them, so I didn't mind.
"He then said that they would like me to come (showed messages on the WhatsApp group).
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"So I thought alright might as well since they insisted, I was excited as well. One thing to note: they said they (the hosts) had already bought the food as well. The food was nice.
"I appreciate the gesture. But asking to then pay after? I was not made aware of this.
"Any advice on what to do here. It's a bit of a sour situation."
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Commenting on the conundrum, one user said: "That’s so rude. If there’s an expectation that people are going to chip in financially then that needs to be clear ahead of time."
Another suggested: "Send £1.70 and the receipt for the chocolates, assuming you never want to see them again!
"It's very rude to ask for money for a dinner invitation, especially after the fact, unless it was a case of all chipping in from the start."
A third wrote: "This. Absolutely mental.
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"Spent about £400-£500 hosting a bbq this summer for family and didn’t request a thing.
"I would never expect to pay or ask anyone to pay to come to dinner."
Someone else agreed: "I think it's fine to ask but it should be communicated well in advance, as part of the invite.
"I do this for friends/family gatherings as it's nice to get together but not everyone can afford to spend so much."
In an update, the Redditor said: "Just to update (27th) my friend has not responded yet. Possibly because he might have realised that he forgot to tell me so they are working it out?
"I also may suspect they chose to make it a split cost dinner, the next day."
Topics: Food And Drink, Reddit, Money
Anish Vij