DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am frequently invited to one-on-one lunches by representatives of various alumni and charitable organizations that I donate money to.
While I do try to accommodate these requests, which are essentially fundraising overtures for the organizations, I find myself at a loss as to who should pay the bill.
I’ve always thought that the person extending the invitation should pick up the check, and most of the time they do, but there have been a couple of awkward occasions when my lunch partner left it to me to pay. What’s the correct thing to do here?
GENTLE READER: You can hardly avoid paying if you are left with a silent luncheon partner. But you can resolve not to be caught again.
Miss Manners imagines that the representative justifies this as not adding to the organization’s expenses. But you may equally well justify it by subtracting the amount from your donation.