Who Pays the Power Lunch Check During a Recession

Today The New York Times published an article on the dilemmas of who pays the tab for business meals during a recession. With money being tighter for all parties, new ideas are emerging.

Some are scaling back by opting for meetings at diners verses the upscale restaurant. A sandwich and beverage replaces the meat-and-potatoes lunch. Others are having breakfast meetings verses lunch meetings which can reduce the expense by up to 40 percent. And still others like the chief communications officer at Verizon Communications forgoes the meal and suggests a cup of coffee when meeting with reporters.

Whichever venue fits your financial taste, remember the person who does the inviting pays for the business meal. And if you want to avoid the discussion altogether on “who pays the bill,” don’t let the check come to the table. Simply notify the waiter (before the guest arrives) that you will excuse yourself from the table – near the end of the meal – and pay the bill.

What are your business meal ideas?