seriously?! a double-date story

i came across an article which reported that i currently reside in the nation's second wealthiest city. on average, the median household income is $74,000 with san francisco not far behind in the ranking. i had to give myself a little pat on the back after reading that because that translates into bloated prices for everything (it shows in gas and real estate) and, well, i'm still here! ...in my apartment, with food in my belly and gasoline to get me to and from work. i even have extra cash to take jetsetter's date out for drinks. yeah, about that...

i got a call from jetsetter around 8 pm last saturday. she was on her way to santana row for drinks, dinner and a movie with her most recent suitor, freeloader, and could shrek and i meet them? actually, it was more of a demand. she insisted that we witness the ridiculous freeloading for ourselves which she'd described in dissecting her latest dating dilemma. (or her date's dilemma?)

i guess on their first date in downtown sj back in july or august (a date which he actively pursued!), jetsetter politely offered to split the bill to which freeloader immediately accepted with an, "okay!" and it hasn't stopped to this day. yeah, and i'm pretty sure he's hoping to get laid with those moves! :X

jumping right to it, when the check arrived after dinner and drinks it was placed in front of freeloader. when he finally picked it up to have a look, i caught jetsetter giving shrek, who was seated across from her, a little knowing wink and nod towards her date.

i dutifully handed over my card, signaling to shrek that i had this one. shrek, being a smart ass and aware of the situation, responded rather loudly, "oh thanks, babe, you got this one?" freeloader definitely didn't take the hint and definitely didn't offer to pay for jetsetter. in fact, he suggested, "graciously," that only $30 go on my card since shrek and i only ordered 3 drinks and 1 soup between the two of us (we'd already eaten) and the rest be split between himself and jetsetter. did i mention he ordered one of the more expensive items on the menu + 2 drinks whereas jetsetter had just 2 drinks + an appetizer? and that's how we ended up handing 3 cards to our server (so tacky!) for a tab which i later discovered totaled about $100. that means that with freeloader's stodgy math, jetsetter ended up footing his drinks. and, surprise, surprise, he continued to drink the rest of the night (i think we didn't call it until 3 a.m.) without dropping a dime-- or a thank you!

the movie was forgone in favor of the outdoor tequila bar/lounge where just 4 drinks were ordered. this time the check was set down on a low table separating freeloader and shrek. it was a bit of a stand-off, although more entertaining than uncomfortable since jetsetter and i had a nice buzz going and were chatting away but definitely aware of the white elephant. according to shrek, freeloader had his wallet out resting on his knee with the appearance of paying. assuming we were going to reenact how we paid for dinner (i.e. shrek and i pay for ourselves whilst freeloader and jetsetter settle their share of the tab), shrek placed his card down first. it sat there for a bit until our server came by and picked up the tab. jetsetter immediately realized that shrek's was the only card being whisked away and insisted on paying some of it whilst freeloader sat there and said NOTHING. shrek expressed that he doesn't mind paying for me and my girlfriends to which jetsetter thanked him and said she had lunch next time. and that was that. freeloader neither thanked nor even acknowledged that shrek paid.

...seriously!?

unfortunately my buzz made me insistent that we go to a club. shrek, not feeling it but not wanting to be a party pooper, instead suggested drinking at our place. long story short, freeloader and jetsetter came over and we continued to drink seven and sevens and tequila squirts until 3 a.m. before they left, freeloader managed to complain that we were out of ice but could not manage a thank you!

seriously?!

addendum:
all complaints aside, this story is really more entertaining than anything because i am aware that i can't fully fault the guy for several reasons.

1. we are, but jetsetter especially is, passive-aggressive about thinking freeloader should treat her. if she really feels that strongly about it she just shouldn't offer to pay. or the optimal choice would be for her to find a cool, socially-savvy guy for me and shrek to hang with :D

2. shrek and i were the instigators in inviting jetsetter and freeloader over, so of course he'd be drinking on us! i also know you're not suppose to do things and expect a thank you.

..but, if you're trying to make a good impression on your date's friends all the while trying to win her affections*, seriously?!

*does not imply that my friend can be bought. just that it's nice to be treated once in awhile!