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AEE 197: Who Pays for Lunch When You're Out with English Speakers?
Go here to read the full episode summary
Do you know who pays for lunch when you go out with English speakers?
This might be a source of serious confusion for you if you are making the mistake of translating the word "invite" from your native language to English!
Today you'll learn how to avoid one of the most awkward possible misunderstandings when you go out for lunch!
Today is number 7 of our Top 15 Fixes to Tune up Your Porsche!
What does it mean when you "invite" someone out for dinner or for lunch?
The verb "invite" just means to extend an invitation to someone to go out and do something together. It does NOT mean that you will pay for the person's meal.
Are you translating this verb and its meaning from your native language into English?
A lot of people make this mistake!
In English when we invite someone to dinner we aren't sure who is going to pay.
If you do want to pay for someone you can say:
- "I've got this"
- "I got this"
- "Let me get this"
- "This one's on me"
- "I'll take this"
- "Don't worry about it. I've got this"
Other Entries in the 15 Fixes Series:
Episode 165: Listen or Hear?
Episode 169: Speak, Talk, Tell and Say?
Episode 173: Wish vs. Hope
Episode 177: Talking About Age in English
Episode 181: Future Tense in English
Episode 185: Interested or Interesting?
Episode 189: Talking About the Past
How do you deal with paying for the bill in your culture?
Is it ok to refuse when someone offers to pay for you or should you accept?
How do you think your culture is different from American culture in this sense?
Leave us a message in the comments and let's have a conversation!