Submitted by BirthdayPlaningIdiot t3_1265fwv in tifu
For context, I haven't celebrated my birthday for the past 3 years. So this time I wanted a nice simple casual dinner with my friends. We are all graduating from university soon so we might not see each other for the next little while.
Now, I thought why dont I have my various small friend groups meet up together and get dinner. So about 18 of us in total because some of them have girlfriends and it would be rude to not invite them. I am used to having everyone pay for their own food when we go out to eat. Apparently, I forgot for special occasions like birthdays you are supposed to pay for everyone's meal. I found out from my mom and another friend (that isn't from my university so not attending this dinner).
This place is a little bit expensive as well I'm thinking maybe $50 for each person. So with taxes and tip, it becomes $1200...
I don't expect any gifts or anything. Just a casual dinner, and I will ask the restaurant if I can bring a cake or worst case put candles on my dessert. I don't know the food and safety guidelines if I can bring a cake that's why I am unsure.
I have already told everyone about the dinner, and gotten a reservation (which can be canceled). Just waiting for my friends to say yes or no if they can come. So yeah, I played myself cause Im a social idiot who has not celebrated his birthday before.
Next week will be fun.
I am thinking of messaging my friends: Just to clarify its a casual dinner, pay for your own meal (I cant afford to pay for 18 ppl), no gifts. Just a chill hangout eat vibe. I will talk to the restaurant if I can bring a cake, idk how this shit works. Im sorry for being dumb idk how birthdays work
TL;DR: I haven't celebrated birthdays for 3 years and forgot that if I invite people to dinner I need to pay for everyone's meal so I am looking at a bill of $1200. Damn
Edit/Update: Talked to most of my friends they are all good with it. They never expected me to pay.
Additional context: It's my 23rd birthday. My mom was worried cause she didn't know what the normal expected thing was. Cause different cultures and all that.
Update 2: it went well