Cash parties happen.

Really? I'll admit that I'm rather unpartied. I'm familiar with cover at clubs or bars or whatever. And I've been to one where the hostess decided at the last minute to raise money for charity, but that was fairly good natured amongst close friends sorta thing (her sister had recently required the services of a womens shelter, and the "fee" was to support its mission) but... I dunno. I suspect it is a remnant of my midwestern roots, wherein you do not mix money and hosting. Hell, you don't mix money and ANYTHING.

And yet, I do not blink at the idea of potluck or byob. That was a staple of my upbringing, and I have to do a momentary adjustment when I'm NOT bringing a bottle or a dish. So I really can't point or anything.

I have no idea what's happening in this instance, but I've seen them where it's a matter of covering equipment rentals, or DJ costs, or whatever. No big deal in my book -- $10 or a bottle of wine or flowers or whatever.

You are right (given I'd spend more that $10 on a potluck) but like I said, something in me thinks asking for $ in an invite is gauche. Yet asking for contributions or a freaking dish , doesn't. I contain multitudes of contradictions.

Huh, I just saw an ad for an A&E series about some local (I think-the reporting was local, it's been a while since I read/heard it) dudes who went around just doing good things for random people- artificial limbs, buying gas, etc. Random 1.

Different (sort of) kind of reality tv. I don't know if they'd had cameras all along or not.

Has anyone here ever used Expedia to buy tickets? Ten days ago, I bought my ticket to NY on American Airlines via Expedia, and the service charge (charged by expedia) has shown up on my credit card statement, but the actual ticket (charged by AA) has not. My big worry is that in the meantime, I got a new credit card, so I am worried that when AA try to actually charge me for my ticket, it won't go through and I will be screwed.

My itinerary on Expedia is confirming the ticket purchase by AA, but where's the charge?

You are right (given I'd spend more that $10 on a potluck) but like I said, something in me thinks asking for $ in an invite is gauche. Yet asking for contributions or a freaking dish , doesn't. I contain multitudes of contradictions.

This is me as well. I don't think twice about being asked to bring a bottle/six-pack or a dish (or asking for people to do same when I'm hosting) but someone charging money for their party would give me pause.

I guess, one explanation would be that if everyone brings drink and/or food to share, they're guaranteed that there will be at least one thing for them to consume that they will enjoy and it's an oppurtunity to share something they like with others, whereas having a cover charge has a stigma of whatever you're providing better be damn good or people are going to be resentful of "wasting money".

Another explanation is that different groups of people have different currencies .

Sue, I'd call AA, just to check. I always do e-tickets, so I never hear from the airlines, merely the dealer, and I have no idea what the delay between the two is. Perhaps you did that? Which reminds me, I'm getting a new issue of my card soon. I wonder if I should wait until after my TG trip to start using it, in case the swipe at Southwest expects the old and it is somehow different than the new.

When I bring something to a party, it's more often than not a host gift. I don't expect to eat or drink of it unless the invite said potluck. So I may show up with a bottle of wine (or not -- I don't pretend to be a good guest as often as I'd like), but it's not about me drinking any of it.

Sarameg, you are wise. I haven't done anything yet, I just checked my CC statement tonight. I was mostly wondering if this is some kind of crazy SOP for Expedia.

I'm going to call them tomorrow, I think it's about time to tidy the house and get ready for bed.

Hee, I can be wise after four fingers of scotch!

I only bring host gifts for housewarmings or otherwise New stuff. Or if I'm imposing. It'd never occur to me otherwise.

Hell, it was only recently I figured out I needed to tip the shampoo person.