Should I pay for the drinks, or him?

[Epsil0n00]

So, a bit of background information first: I am looking for a job... Tomorrow night I am meeting with an alum of my college who happens to work for the company at which I am trying to get a job. I have never met this college alum, but we are going to go out for a beer and to discuss his position at the company and how he likes working there... hopefully he can help me network into the company and will put in a good word for me with the hiring manager.

So the big question is this: should I pay for his beer (or maybe 2), or should I assume that he is paying for himself? I want to be considerate and polite.
Let me hear your opinions.
Thanks!

 

[GrimReefer]

offer to buy him a drink

 

[amnesiac]

Always offer to pay.
If he insists, back down and let him foot the bill.
One of you will end up paying for both of you, rarely does a business-related meeting go dutch.

 

[dolph]

pay for the first round, chances are he'll offer for the second

 

[Epsil0n00]

but it was me that contacted him to arrange the meeting... not him. AND, it is him that is doing the favor for me by meeting with me and _hopefully_ helping me get the job in the long run.

 

[Epsil0n00]

yeah, I think that I'll offer to pay, and be prepared to do so, unless he insists that he will foot the bill.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

pay for the damn drinks

 

[amnesiac]

Wait, YOU asked HIM a favor, he obliged, and STILL you have the gall to even CONSIDER letting him pay for drinks? Jeez, you need to take some lessons in etiquette, my friend. If someone was to go out of their way to help me get a job, I'd take them out to a fricking steak dinner. I mean, it's like what, $10-20 at most for a couple rounds of drinks.. don't you think that's worth a job should things work out?

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
yeah, I think that I'll offer to pay, and be prepared to do so, unless he insists that he will foot the bill.

Need more info.
What school?
What company?
Is comapny is same town as school or in another state?
Alum's position at company.
Why drinks?
How did you get in touch with this person?

As for who's paying. You buy the first round. If he insists on paying, let it be. He has a job, you're a student. He'll be happy to pay.

Good luck.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
Wait, YOU asked HIM a favor, he obliged, and STILL you have the gall to even CONSIDER letting him pay for drinks? Jeez, you need to take some lessons in etiquette, my friend. If someone was to go out of their way to help me get a job, I'd take them out to a fricking steak dinner. I mean, it's like what, $10-20 at most for a couple rounds of drinks.. don't you think that's worth a job should things work out?

even not considering ettiquette u gotta be "slow" not to insist on paying for atleast part. its self interest to be in someones good graces when asking for a favor. to present a gesture of good will. think of it practically, or even in a machiavellian kinda way, don't be cheap when it serves no purpose.

 

[Epsil0n00]

Yeah, I thought all along that I should pay... but I thought I should try and figure out what the "proper" thing to do would be. I think paying is the right thing to do... but I have been wrong before. Thanks everyone for your advice. I'll let ya know how it turns out.

 

[bacillus]

good luck

 

[Aceshigh]

Hope he can help you out. Good luck.

 

[Red Dawn]

You pay for the drinks and let him pay for the Motel Room!

 

[jjones]

Who wants something from whom? Simple negotiating rule: He who holds the power gets the free drinks.

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
You pay for the drinks and let him pay for the Motel Room!

Yes, then you will have a real bargaining chip when he later says "oh I don't think we're hiring now."

 

[habib89]

of course you should offer to pay.. make the offer.. if he insists, then let him pay, but say "ok, but i'm getting you back next time"... that's what i use to do with my coworkers.. not exactly the same situation, but close enough

 

[HappyPuppy]

Take your kneepads and a buddy with a camera. Take lots of pics. Post them here. Wait, you can't do that here.