DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend is having a milestone birthday — turning 40. His wife, considerably younger, organized an event at a local bar, invited a bunch of people, and 10 or so RSVP’d. Then two days before the event, she asked for money to cover the cost of reserving the space ($45 a person). Then she also told us that we were on our own for what we order and drink. I was a bit miffed at this for two reasons: 1. She did not tell us the cost arrangement prior to sending the invite, so now I look bad if I back out and stick them with the bill, since that is a fixed cost. 2. She organized thi…
