Stop going for dinner with scamming cheapskate

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This article was published 03/11/2015 (3983 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I have a friend who goes out for dinner and always sends it back because it isn’t cooked to his specification, even when it is. He generally gets a discount from management at the end. I have seen this happen too often and understand what he is doing — I find it embarrassing.

Last night we met for dinner and he said he was going to order a steak from the menu. I said to him, “I hope you’re not going to pull that scam again about the meat not being cooked right.” He looked at me as if he were shocked, and said, “What scam?” I quickly outlined it, and he looked mad. “There’s no scam,” he said, and ordered a salad instead of meat. Then I saw he was just cheap. He’s got tons of money, and I guess now I know why: his bill is always $20 or less.

I think less of him, but still want to remain friends for other reasons. What should I do now?

— Annoyed With Cheapskate Friend, Tuxedo

Dear Annoyed: He’s not going to pull that scam again when he is out with you, but to make it easy for both of you, get together for happy hour beers and then head home for dinner. Lunch get-togethers should be easier for Mr. Budget. Waiters will tell you it’s mostly dinner customers with big bills coming who pull this.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts
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