Should I let my friend pay for my theatre ticket?

Former_MSE_Nick · 30 March 2015 at 11:42AM

A friend of mine is going to a play in order to impress a girl who's starring in it, and invited me along for moral support. He's offered to pay for my ticket but they're £30 a pop and he's a bit hard up so I feel bad letting him to do it. On the other hand I'm not that keen to go and I'm only doing it for him, and I think the price is a little steep given that it's a student production. Should I let him pay?

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macaroni · 31 March 2015 at 9:16PM

As long as you want to go why not?! His financila situation is irrelevant- if he wants you there and wants to pay for you then go ahead (as long as youre happy watching the play!)
A bit of a non-dilemma in my eyes!

DaftyDuck · 31 March 2015 at 11:11PM

Don't see why not, it's his choice. If you really want to upset him, just read the play beforehand, look up some positive professional reviews as well, and pepper his intended with flowery and intelligent compliments. You never know, you might lose a friend and gain a wife. Fair trade for a free ticket.

Fujiko · 1 April 2015 at 12:24AM

Invite you as a friend, yes, but for moral support? What a strange idea and how far are you supposed to be involved? Are you supposed to stand on the sidelines while he attempts to impress this girl, and what if he doesn't succeed? What if she obviously isn't interested, or what if instead she is interested in you? This could be the end of a beautiful friendship especially in the light of his having paid for your ticket!

Saetana · 1 April 2015 at 5:17AM

These dilemmas are getting sillier by the week. Let him buy the tickets and you buy the drinks or something similar. You don't want to go - why should you pay for the ticket? Agree that £30 for a student show sounds pricey, I've had West End tickets for less than that (admittedly in the nosebleeds)

pennypinchUK · 1 April 2015 at 7:36AM

He's a friend - do what a friend should do and support him. If he's hard up you should pay for your own ticket. If he's a good friend he'll not forget it and will find his own way to repay your good deed some time in the future.

somethingcorporate · 1 April 2015 at 9:10AM

Split it 50/50?

meknowalot-51 · 1 April 2015 at 9:47AM

As it's all your friends idea and your helping him out by being there i would say let him pay.You've already said that the play is not one that you would have gone to see,so your clearly doing it to help a friend.This will all add up to about 4 hours of your time so don't feel guilty about the cost,buy him a couple of beers if it helps.Remember one thing,your putting yourself out and doing him a favour.Welldone for being there and hope you enjoy whatever it is your going to watch.

AliBaliBee_2 · 1 April 2015 at 10:29AM

Treat others as you would be treated yourself. It may happen in future that the roles are reversed!

When i have been in the situation before i ended up paying half my ticket myself and my pal paid the other half of my ticket and for hers as she really wanted to go to an event and i wasnt interested. I didnt mind contributing something and my free time to help a friend, contributing what i could afford, as she was so keen to go. I was helping her by going somewhere i really wasnt interested in and she heped me with my costs.

If the roles were reversed i would do the same for her or pay for her if she couldnt afford to go if i wanted her company that much.

elizabethhull · 1 April 2015 at 10:35AM

This is not a moral dilemma, it barely makes it to 'ask a friend'. When are we going to get some real dilemmas to discuss ?

The obvious answer has already been suggested : accept the ticket with grace and buy your friend a drink in the interval. You might, surprisingly, enjoy the play.
Isn't it worth one evening to try something new ?

Teacher2 · 1 April 2015 at 10:40AM

Generally speaking the professional theatre is for the benefit of the paying punter and the amateur theatre is for the benefit of the actors. This situation sounds like the worst of both worlds:- the play is for the girl's career but the prices are what you'd pay for something you actually wanted to see. Can't your friend take the girl out for a drink afterwards?

Should I let my friend pay for my theatre ticket?

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