/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
City News

Dear Urban Diplomat: Can you slap your friends with invoices for a fun weekend at the cottage?

By Toronto Life
Copy link
(Image: Anthony van Dyck)
(Image: Anthony van Dyck)

Dear Urban Diplomat, I invited a crew of friends and their kids to my cottage last weekend. They brought snacks and lunches, but I supplied most of the booze, some top-notch steaks and salmon, and gas for the boat. I even rented a water trampoline. At the end of the weekend, I divvied up the cost and emailed everyone, asking for $60 each. So far, no one has paid up. We all enjoyed the weekend. Am I totally off base to expect that we all share the cost? —Equal opportunist, LAWRENCE PARK

You’re so far off base, you’re practically in the outfield. You cannot, by any stretch of hospitality etiquette, slap your friends with invoices. You’re hosting, not running all-inclusive resorts. There’s no doubt entertaining is expensive, but keeping a ledger defeats the point of going to the cottage, which is to relax and have fun. It’s also extremely tacky. Either declare it a BYO-everything affair up front or abandon your inner Ebenezer and foot the friggin’ bill.

Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com

THIS CITY

Obsessive coverage of Toronto, straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Latest

Toronto is now giving out free pre-approved designs for laneway and garden suites
Real Estate News

Toronto is now giving out free pre-approved designs for laneway and garden suites

Inside the Latest Issue

The July issue of Toronto Life features a behind-the-curtain look at the insatiable political ambitions of Doug Ford. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.