The following excerpt appeared in a syndicated advice column (March 20, 2003).

Dear Annie:
I attend out-of-town meetings and often am invited to join clients and associates for dinner. There is no way for me to politely refuse. The problem is, I can only afford so much for my meal. However, when the server comes to take our orders, one of the Big Shots invariably says to put the meal on one check. The others proceed to order expensive meals and wine, and we split the bill equally. I end up paying for a dinner that I can’t afford, yet to ask for a separate check would be embarrassing. How can I handle this situation?
Bottom of the Totem Pole in Wisconsin
Required
If you were Annie, how would you respond to this reader?