I am being treated to dinner?

Arriving with something at the restaurant is kind of presumptive and rude. Offer to pay your share, even if you know he will refuse.

After the meal:

Be sure to send him a thank you note, and maybe a small token gift. Does he golf? You could send him golf balls and tees. Is he an avid reader? Buy him a paperback your friend says his father might enjoy. Maybe if he travels a lot? A special luggage tag. Coffee drinker? A coffee mug from your city.

Always be sure to thank the person face to face and with a thank you note. Be sure to send the thank you note within a week after the meal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy.

I like your sense of manners. Being this guy is wealthy the very best thing to give him is something thoughtful. In fact, the more thoughtful and less expensive it is.....the more impact it will have on your friend's dad. How about a small wrapped box of fancy mints. Is he a smoker....one delicious cigar. How about a monogrammed handkerchief. How about a vintage or just an interesting set of cuff links or tie clip. Check out local junk shops for something interesting or collectable. Hes an executive....how about a beautiful pen or pen set. Stress relievers....worry beads, shiatsu balls, massage device, decorative desk ornament, atomic clock. If you are old enough and the gentleman drinks.....a sure hit with any guy I know is liquor. Any good liquor store will have "gift packages" of beer, wine or hard liquor in all price ranges.....do not give him a bottle that is not in a package at a restaurant though. Again, spending alot of money is not necessary. Just the very thought that you took sometime will show your appreciation and bowl this guy over. Great question!!

You don't need to bring anything to the restaurant. Although wealthy men treating their college-aged children's friends to dinner don't usually expect anything except gratitude, the typical response in most other situations would be reciprocity. Do you have an apartment where you could cook the guy dinner, or is there a cheap but fun restaurant that the college kids like, where you could take him? Anything you do should be within your own means, as the dinner you mention is within his.

The cost is not an issue to the father. He doesn't want a bunch of broke students spending their money on stuff for him!

He wants to be involved with his child and his child's friends. Parents usually miss their kids when they go to college, and miss the day- to- day involvement in their lives. So what I think he might enjoy most is something that makes him feel like part of your lives. You could take a pictures of yourselves (all the friends who were treated to dinner) doing various things with his child, and then send them to him as postcards once in a while. He would be touched and really enjoy it.

Ask your friends if they can help pitch in to buy something because you don't want to make them feel like bums with nothing to give, while you give him a nice bottle of wine. Go for Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon, to be safe. These wines are generally 15-25 dollars, and most people like them. Or you can go to the liquor store and ask for some help.

Find out if he likes scotch or cigars, or something along those lines. Then, go buy him an upscale brand.

Offer to pay for the tip.