Maybe, just maybe, this will be a grumpy diatribe.
Last week, someone called me on the phone. This person extolled my virtues as relayed by another person and insisted that we have a networking meeting. Because I almost always take new meetings to evaluate them for business purposes, I agreed that getting together would be a great idea.
The person then proposed a 7:30am breakfast meeting. Okay, fine. It’s not my favorite time of the day, but I do breakfast meetings pretty regularly.
Days rolled by, and our appointed breakfast arrived. I met this person at 7:30am at their selected location. It proceeded to turn into a sales pitch about why I should recommend everyone I know who fits certain parameters to this person. It isn’t the first time this has happened, and I roll with these things with good humor (usually) when they occur.
Until the check came. This person – who called ME – who invited me to breakfast – who proposed that I get up and meet at 7:30am – who chose the location – demanded that we SPLIT the check.
This isn’t a gender issue. I’m honestly confused. If I invite someone to meet me, is it not proper for me to treat the first time? Especially when it was MY idea? Am I missing something? Is the “new economy” impacting rules of business etiquette, too?
