Excellent advice and something often overlooked. ^^

Last night's dinner with ten non-FT friends of 20 years we came up short for the first time. Gracious person-in-charge-with-calculator tossed in the difference realizing someone just mistook the denominations on their currency. Not worth making an issue. You can't do this with regular/larger groups.

FTers who regularly stiff organizers? Firing squad at sunrise isn't practical, because some of us are still in the bars , but....

1. Small-event organizer has to have a private word with person-who-does-not-pay-fair-share. Public outing is bad. Very bad. Most of you know who the regulars are. As a single traveler, I try to overpay by 10-20% beyond tax, tip, wine, and meal, so I don't leave an old-lady cheapass rep behind me. (Hope it's working. If it isn't, PM me.)

2. Large event probably needs to use some service like EventBrite. It's unfortunate if you pay for xxx Euros and then can't attend, and I have have had that happen, AND TRAVEL INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER, but the organizer shouldn't have to pay either.

3. Some of the larger events don't have any leeway built in with the restaurants. In other words, the organizers are pushing to get the required 40 covers for a certain price, and they only get 38. Excellent, but if only 32 actually pay, disasterous.

4. We're NOT pros! Doing our best to have a good time for everyone. Appreciate what you are offered, enjoy it, and pay compliments and full price GDMIT!