Apropos of a discussion about contributing to the cost of a honeymoon, I'm wondering if other GNs feel it's unreasonable to expect the invited guests to stag and hen occasions to spend, sometimes a considerable amount of money, to attend an event they really don't have any interest in going to. A while back I got an invitation to an afternoon tea for a prospective bride, second time around wedding. Although I enjoy her company I only know her as the partner of a friend of my husband, my contact with her being, we sometimes go out for the occasional meal as a four. I tactfully turned down the invitation because I didn't want to spend the money on what can be an expensive afternoon tea with a load of people I'd never met, apart from her. At the time my husband thought it was a bit off of me. The proposed venue was a smart hotel and when a glass of champagne is added it would be in the region of £50. I know other women who have been invited to say a spa week-end for a similar purpose and the cost has therefore run into hundreds. Is it a presumption to expect people to shell out for these sort of occasions?
One of my sons fresh out of university and pretty broke was invited to a stag week-end by a colleague, he had a whole range of activities and a hotel to fork out for and he confessed to me that he wished he hadn't gone, but felt under pressure.
Leaving tackiness aside, what are your thoughts on this relatively new phenomenon. Is it acceptable to politely turn down invitations because either it's not your cup of tea or because of the cost involved?
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