I think this is incredibly good advice. And it can apply to more than who picks up the cheque. Think in advance about what book you may want to bring up in conversation. Think in advance what anecdote you may want to tell. Think about an inciteful question you may want to ask.

Remember that no plan survives contact with the enemy. You might have decided that you are going to pick up the cheque. But she may argue with you, and you don’t want to become intransigent over this. Planning and preparation is a tool, not a straight jacket.

Thanks for writing this. I think it was very helpful.