Be My Guest?

I've never understood the word "guest", I guess.
I always thought that if I were a guest in a person's home, if my "hosts" treated me to a beverage and perhaps a food product, at the end of the evening, a bill for the refreshments would not be delivered. I have been to many functions where I have been a guest and have never been asked to pay for anything.

I have even golfed as a guest of another person and - no check for the green fees. I have in turn, asked individuals to play in our "guest day" at the golf club where I used to enjoy a membership and I was happy to treat my golfing partner to a day of fun (especially if they played well and we were "in the money").

Last night I went out to dinner and there was a hostess who seated us a our table. When I commented to her that I liked the seating arrangement where I could enjoy the window view, she replied "we like to keep our guests happy."
So, I'm a GUEST, am I?
Yippee!!
I must admit that I was surprised when the menu came and there were prices to the side of each item. After all, when I have guests into my home, I certainly don't show anyone my grocery store receipt.

When the waiter mentioned that there were fresh scallops and even fresher Australian crab on the menu, I couldn't remember seeing any fishermen catching any of those around this part of the country and Australia is a loooooong way away to have something like a crab to arrive still kicking.
I also wondered exactly where the "fresh sun-dried" tomatoes were being dried. It had rained the past 4 days...hmmmm...

So, after a wonderful meal, complete with lovely background music that would make a Punk Rock enthusiast happy, we started to leave but were barred from exiting the restaurant. Apparently, I took the term "guest" a little too liberally.

Next time I have people over for dinner, I am seeing how slipping a small invoice for the meal will go over.

Maybe I should sign up for a Mastercard Merchant account?