Whats up with adults not letting you pay?

[Wubs3000]

So as a teenager I don't really have a source of income but I still don't like relying on anyone but family. If I'm out I don't like other people paying for me and I prefer to pay for myself. If I don't have money on me I won't get anything or I'll get something super small. Today I was with my partner and found myself in a small family outing and they asked if I wanted to join for dinner and I said yes. I got something small as I wasn't really hungry and at the end I gave the people paying the money for my portion of the meal but they seemed almost mad and kept telling me to take it back so I caved.

Tldr: Casual dinner with partners family and they didn't let me pay for myself

Why are they so insistent and almost angry? and is it rude of me to want to pay for myself in that situation?

[MAC1983]

I understand your dilemma. You're 14, or so your age on GaG says, but you have a strong sense of personal accountability.

However, let me try to pass on something to you. When a family invites you for dinner, even out, they do it for the pleasure of your company and don't expect you to pay, specially you being so young.

It does not reflect on you or your age in any way. It's common practice and a rule of etiquette in many countries that those who invite for the meal pay for the meal as a courtesy.

There's always Miss Manners (Judith Martin) if you have more doubts like that. 😁

[MAC1983]

Well, thank you for the MHG. 🙂
If you are ever interested, you'll find that that are a lot of different protocols and etiquettes, some culturally charged, some Universal. (Yes, there's also a Netiquette for online use.)

I will give you a very formal global example: you never, under any circumstance, seat an invited head of state or emissary with their back to the door. This is to hinder assassination attempts, above all, but it also has do with what's expected.

OK, there's your useless information for the day. Sorry for boring you. 😜

[Anonymous]

Why are letting this bother you? You will have lots of chances to pay your share of meals when you get older.

[Wubs3000]

I'm not really bothered by it per say but I want to understand why they are like that

[Debbie14217]

they want you to spend your money on yourself