Dear Come Correct:  My boyfriend and I often see a few other couples socially for things where we go together and split the tab.  We’ve done dinner and a movie night, a weekend at the beach, a tasting at a winery.  Every time we’ve done this, we’ve split the tab four ways—each couple pays 25%--and it’s never been a problem.

Dear Come Correct:  My boyfriend and I often see a few other couples socially for things where we go together and split the tab.  We’ve done dinner and a movie night, a weekend at the beach, a tasting at a winery.  Every time we’ve done this, we’ve split the tab four ways—each couple pays 25%--and it’s never been a problem.

Dear Come Correct:  My boyfriend and I often see a few other couples socially for things where we go together and split the tab.  We’ve done dinner and a movie night, a weekend at the beach, a tasting at a winery.  Every time we’ve done this, we’ve split the tab four ways—each couple pays 25%--and it’s never been a problem.

A few months ago, we decided we wanted our next outing to be really special, so we chose tickets for a hot Broadway musical that is touring the country and is stopping in our city, and booked a table for 8 at a restaurant we’d always said we wanted to go to.  The restaurant is really popular and they offer a menu for 8 that has specific quantities for that number of people.  Perfect, right?

Well, it would have been if one of the couples hadn’t decided to have a big fight the night before we were to go out.  Neither showed up to the theater or dinner and neither have returned calls or e-mails.  They’re not dead—some of us know people who work with each of us—but they haven’t called to offer an apology or to reimburse the couples who had to pay for their 25%.  (One of us paid for the group’s tickets ahead of time and the rest of us reimbursed them, except for Guess Who?)   My boyfriend says forget it, they’re not going to pay up.  I’m not so thrilled at having such a damper put on my evening AND having to pay for the privilege.

What you do?

Steamed Dumpling

Dear Dumpling:

If they couldn’t call and cancel, giving you a chance to give away or sell the tickets, they’re probably not going to apologize, either.  You might try writing a note reminding your (ex?) friends of the outstanding expenses and sending it certified mail (which means you know it’s been received).  If they still don’t respond, your boyfriend’s probably right—it’s time to move on.