about the splitting the check with friends

wife1014

It was as far as I got in the fffc thread. 

Because my opinion matters, if you are going out to eat with friends who normally eat a nice meal and order a drink or two (or three or seven) and you don't do that, you should ask for your own check at the beginning of the meal. If you get a burger and two beers and someone orders a steak and 3 glasses of wine, expect to split the check (unless you have your own).  I absolutely hate being out with people who sit there and go through the bill to see "how much theirs is". It is tacky and annoying.  If you are one of those people, get your own check. 

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J+MS

Dude, wtf kind of server gives a party of adults one check unless they specify at the beginning that they are on one. or better yet, which server doesn't ask? jeezus.

emilydholmes1

This whole concept of splitting the check is weird to me. I have never done that when out with people. It was either a group where someone paid for all or we asked for separate checks from the get go. It's a no brainer. 

hmp1

Our best couple friend usually get the same type of things we get so we take turns paying the entire check. They will pay one weekend, we will pay the next.  We sometimes pick up the bill when eating with my parents even though they always drink more than us. Usually with family we tell the waiter separate checks, and anytime I go to lunch with co-workers (unless I can expense it) we get separate checks.

topbirdsix

And, I'd like add: If you don't carry cash, make an exception - especially if there are repeat offenders. If you don't have the cash to carry, you shouldn't be going out to eat. 

hmp1

topbirdsix:

And, I'd like add: If you don't carry cash, make an exception - especially if there are repeat offenders. If you don't have the cash to carry, you shouldn't be going out to eat. 

I don't understand??  I never have cash on me.

CinemaGoddess

If there's only a couple of people, I agree.

I don't agree if it's a large group.  You take the check, figure out what you paid, pay your portion plus tip, and be on your merry way.

Also, some restaurants won't let you split a check if it's over a certain number of people.  The standard around here is if there's more than 8 people, they won't split the check. 

wife1014

A friend of a friend of mine used to come out with us every now and then. We'd always gotten one check and just split it how ever many ways.  She would always grab it and add up her items to the penny.  Then she would add 2.00 for tax and tip...no  matter how much it was or where we were.  It was ridiculous.  One night, I actually told the server to give her her own check. After that, it was known that this particular girl had to have her own check or I was going to strangle her.  We'll still just get one check unless with a different group of people.  We all pretty much enjoy good meals and drink the same so it's not an issue.

Rach21

I agree - but mostly because splitting the check between all diners is something that I've never experienced. Well, I take that back. I dated a dude who decided to tell me we were going dutch after order his meal, when we went out for MY birthday to my first Japanese hibachi. 

Hand in hand with splitting the check, something that really grinds my gears is that whenever my folks take us out to eat, my older brother ALWAYS orders the most expensive thing on the menu ($25+). There are 9 adults + 2 toddlers now in the family, so it adds up freakin' quickly. To make it worse, he complains about the food the whole time, too. I just think that's hella rude.

If I'm going out to eat on someone else's dime, I try not to splurge. I still order what looks tasty, but I keep it under $15, especially if everyone else is ordering $12 or $14 items. 

scoutkate

I have never once been out to eat in group and had someone suggest we split a check evenly, unless we've all ordered the same thing. 

This is an odd concept to me. 

MrsWindyCity

I agree.

Maybe because I don't go out with a ton of people at once, but when I go out to eat or for drinks with a friend (or when we go out with another couple) we split the check right down the middle, period. If mine cost less this time, then I'm sure theirs will cost less next time, and so on. 

KJmashup

emilydholmes1:

This whole concept of splitting the check is weird to me. I have never done that when out with people. It was either a group where someone paid for all or we asked for separate checks from the get go. It's a no brainer. 

This.  

wife1014

CinemaGoddess:

If there's only a couple of people, I agree.

I don't agree if it's a large group.  You take the check, figure out what you paid, pay your portion plus tip, and be on your merry way.

Also, some restaurants won't let you split a check if it's over a certain number of people.  The standard around here is if there's more than 8 people, they won't split the check. 

Yea, that's the thing I think is annoying.  If there is a large group, divide it evenly.  If you know you're going to eat a salad and a glass of water, ask for your own check.

KoalaBear103

emilydholmes1:

This whole concept of splitting the check is weird to me. I have never done that when out with people. It was either a group where someone paid for all or we asked for separate checks from the get go. It's a no brainer. 

I agree. I would never just split the check evenly. If DH is out with me, we probably have the biggest portion of the bill (we like our beers)-no way would I be trying to pawn our portion off on someone else. We get separate checks (and our server always asks)

CinemaGoddess

wife1014:

CinemaGoddess:

If there's only a couple of people, I agree.

I don't agree if it's a large group.  You take the check, figure out what you paid, pay your portion plus tip, and be on your merry way.

Also, some restaurants won't let you split a check if it's over a certain number of people.  The standard around here is if there's more than 8 people, they won't split the check. 

Yea, that's the thing I think is annoying.  If there is a large group, divide it evenly.  If you know you're going to eat a salad and a glass of water, ask for your own check.

It's not to me.  Usually when we go out in large groups, it's to a bar or something and people trickle in throughout the evening.  We all put our orders on a single tab if we don't pay-as-we-go and then figure it out at the end.  Since everyone is eating off of everyone else's pub food and drinking off the pitchers of beer, we split it pretty evenly.  If someone gets something that is only for them (like someone isn't drinking the beer or something), they get their own food/drink separately and pay for it themselves. 

I guess it doesn't bother me because I'm used to it.

emilydholmes1

scoutkate:

I have never once been out to eat in group and had someone suggest we split a check evenly, unless we've all ordered the same thing. 

This is an odd concept to me. 

 

I am beginning to think maybe it is a northern thing? Why would you agree to pay more money for someone else? Pay for what you ate/drank. Our servers always ask when we sit down in a group "is this going to be together or split check?". BOOM. Problem solved. 

CinemaGoddess

heckysue:

Mom2Oli:

topbirdsix:

And, I'd like add: If you don't carry cash, make an exception - especially if there are repeat offenders. If you don't have the cash to carry, you shouldn't be going out to eat. 

I never, ever have cash.

But, this also makes it so easy for me to say at the beginning, ahh I have no cash, I need a separate check.

It's very easy to say "put $40 on this card please".  I do it all the time. 

Yup.

If there are the rare occasions when we get everyone to go to an actual restaurant, we figure out who got what and write the amount on the back of the receipt along with the name on the card associated with that food/drink.

wife1014

scoutkate:

I have never once been out to eat in group and had someone suggest we split a check evenly, unless we've all ordered the same thing. 

This is an odd concept to me. 

So the check goes around the table and you add up what you had, add tip and pass it on to the next person? I hate that. Drives me crazy. 

CinemaGoddess

wife1014:

scoutkate:

I have never once been out to eat in group and had someone suggest we split a check evenly, unless we've all ordered the same thing. 

This is an odd concept to me. 

So the check goes around the table and you add up what you had, add tip and pass it on to the next person? I hate that. Drives me crazy. 

Why?  No, seriously. 

Rach21

Mom2Oli:

She brought the bill out at the end and she'd entered the tip also, which for a large group is usually 18%. She added 27.some percent tip.

The service had been atrocious. We'd have done 18% because it was a large group but 28%???

I really don't know the point of the story, I remembered it, wanted to share it,

I understand the gratuity added to your bill for large groups (I hate it when I'm out with someone and they are stingy with a tip, too, but that's a vent for another day). But 28% when the service was lousy is too flippin' much. But I would have also asked to speak to the manager if I was getting crappy service anyway. (And by crappy, I mean more than your usual 'this waiter is having a rough night' thing.) 

wife1014

CinemaGoddess:

wife1014:

CinemaGoddess:

If there's only a couple of people, I agree.

I don't agree if it's a large group.  You take the check, figure out what you paid, pay your portion plus tip, and be on your merry way.

Also, some restaurants won't let you split a check if it's over a certain number of people.  The standard around here is if there's more than 8 people, they won't split the check. 

Yea, that's the thing I think is annoying.  If there is a large group, divide it evenly.  If you know you're going to eat a salad and a glass of water, ask for your own check.

It's not to me.  Usually when we go out in large groups, it's to a bar or something and people trickle in throughout the evening.  We all put our orders on a single tab if we don't pay-as-we-go and then figure it out at the end.  Since everyone is eating off of everyone else's pub food and drinking off the pitchers of beer, we split it pretty evenly.  If someone gets something that is only for them (like someone isn't drinking the beer or something), they get their own food/drink separately and pay for it themselves. 

I guess it doesn't bother me because I'm used to it.

so you do just split it evenly?  CG, you're confusing me.  Remember I am little bit stupid.

changed slow to stupid.  Don't want to offend anyone.

CinemaGoddess

It depends on the situation.  See my other post. 

It's really not confusing.  It just depends on the situation. 

topbirdsix

GhostMonkey:

topbirdsix:

And, I'd like add: If you don't carry cash, make an exception - especially if there are repeat offenders. If you don't have the cash to carry, you shouldn't be going out to eat. 

? I have plenty of money. I don't like carrying cash. Ever. Not having cash on your person doesn't make you broke.

And I've never had an issue with this as no server I have ever had is dumb enough to not ask in advance how to split the check.

 

Sorry, my original comments don't make sense on re-read. It was meant in the way of, if you're going to biitch about checks being split evenly, and you just want to pay your share, then carry cash - easy as that, especially if you KNOW the person you're going to dinner with has the habit of eating and drinking on your dime.

And I cannot believe people can live without cash? I use it every.single.day in cash only establishments - my local coffee shop, the cafeteria at work, the dry cleaners, my hair dresser. The vending machine.

As for where I stand on the check thing? With close friends we typically split the check evenly. It all comes out in the wash.

CinemaGoddess

But we're talking about lunches with friends, M2O. 

Jillibean85

I didn't make that statement as if to say this happens to me constantly... As a PP said they may only bring one check for large groups, and that's fine.

The instance i had in mind was when i met up with a friend for lunch (her and her fianc?, and his brother) because they happened to be in town that day, so i took LO and since they were already half-way through their meal i just ordered a quick appetizer to share with DD and some water... It was obvious i showed up and ordered later and very minimally, so i guess i thought it would be a no-brainer I'm on my own check.

The waitress brought one check, i asked her to please split it because i was not going to pay $30 for a salad and a water, so she did.... When she got back she mixed MY card up with my friend and her SO's meal, so they got my $10 check and i had their $40+ check. And then instead of trying to fix her mistake she suggested they just "buy me drinks later", which was a ridiculous thought because i had my 18 month old with me and i was visibly pregnant.

Yea, next time bring cash, explain to the waitress you want to split, yadda yadda, but I just found it all to be annoying, and what reminded me of it was that Chase commercial where everyone "electronically" sends their money to their friend using their phones... Okay, now my fingers are bleeding from typing. 

CinemaGoddess

Mom2Oli:

CinemaGoddess:

But we're talking about lunches with friends, M2O. 

we are? I thought it was general group lunches/dinner/bar/hookerhouses

RE: about the splitting the check with friends <---- title of thread.

emilydholmes1

CinemaGoddess:

Mom2Oli:

CinemaGoddess:

But we're talking about lunches with friends, M2O. 

we are? I thought it was general group lunches/dinner/bar/hookerhouses

RE: about the splitting the check with friends <---- title of thread.

M2O, are you drunk right now? 

wife1014

Mom2Oli:

CinemaGoddess:

But we're talking about lunches with friends, M2O. 

we are? I thought it was general group lunches/dinner/bar/hookerhouses

no, hookerhouses you just pay your own.  No splitting there.

CinemaGoddess

wife1014:

Mom2Oli:

CinemaGoddess:

But we're talking about lunches with friends, M2O. 

we are? I thought it was general group lunches/dinner/bar/hookerhouses

no, hookerhouses you just pay your own.  No splitting there.

Oh, so many jokes to be made.  So little time. 

Jillibean85

topbirdsix:

GhostMonkey:

topbirdsix:

And, I'd like add: If you don't carry cash, make an exception - especially if there are repeat offenders. If you don't have the cash to carry, you shouldn't be going out to eat. 

? I have plenty of money. I don't like carrying cash. Ever. Not having cash on your person doesn't make you broke.

And I've never had an issue with this as no server I have ever had is dumb enough to not ask in advance how to split the check.

 

Sorry, my original comments don't make sense on re-read. It was meant in the way of, if you're going to biitch about checks being split evenly, and you just want to pay your share, then carry cash - easy as that, especially if you KNOW the person you're going to dinner with has the habit of eating and drinking on your dime.

And I cannot believe people can live without cash? I use it every.single.day in cash only establishments - my local coffee shop, the cafeteria at work, the dry cleaners, my hair dresser. The vending machine.

As for where I stand on the check thing? With close friends we typically split the check evenly. It all comes out in the wash.

That may depend on where you live, around here i have never seen a "cash only" establishment.. The place wasn't even that busy, i don't know why she didn't just take the time to split the flippin check 3 ways. That takes far less time than me having to go find an ATM to get cash. 

Rach21

Mom2Oli:

emilydholmes1:

CinemaGoddess:

Mom2Oli:

CinemaGoddess:

But we're talking about lunches with friends, M2O. 

we are? I thought it was general group lunches/dinner/bar/hookerhouses

RE: about the splitting the check with friends <---- title of thread.

M2O, are you drunk right now? 

god you have no clue. I had 3 very broken hours of sleep last night. My workplace is like a barrel of monkeys with everyone ooh-ooh-oohing and flinging poo and my head has that dense packed with cotton candy feeling.

wish I was drunk.

Just say the poo-flinging monkeys ARE your friends, and everything will be set to rights. :c) 

robinsokj

No dining for card carriers

Rach21

Mom2Oli:

Rach21:

Mom2Oli:

 god you have no clue. I had 3 very broken hours of sleep last night. My workplace is like a barrel of monkeys with everyone ooh-ooh-oohing and flinging poo and my head has that dense packed with cotton candy feeling.

wish I was drunk.

Just say the poo-flinging monkeys ARE your friends, and everything will be set to rights. :c) 

but, then what does that say about my lyfe?

That you have 20 friends who love to take you out to lunch on the regular??? 

wife1014

What kind of places are cash only.  This is crazy to me, crazy. 

 

MrsWindyCity

I exchanged something at BRU the other day and the difference was $0.74 (that I owed). I didn't even have that in change, so I had to put it on the card.

Yeah...I don't carry cash. There are a few restaurants here that are cash only and I actually just had brunch at one with a friend. I don't even know what the difference in what we owed was, though I'm sure it wasn't much. We still each put down a $20. I dunno, I don't like the maths I guess.

wife1014

MrsWindyCity:

I exchanged something at BRU the other day and the difference was $0.74 (that I owed). I didn't even have that in change, so I had to put it on the card.

Yeah...I don't carry cash. There are a few restaurants here that are cash only and I actually just had brunch at one with a friend. I don't even know what the difference in what we owed was, though I'm sure it wasn't much. We still each put down a $20. I dunno, I don't like the maths I guess.

happens so often.

topbirdsix

GhostMonkey:

topbirdsix:

GhostMonkey:

topbirdsix:

And, I'd like add: If you don't carry cash, make an exception - especially if there are repeat offenders. If you don't have the cash to carry, you shouldn't be going out to eat. 

? I have plenty of money. I don't like carrying cash. Ever. Not having cash on your person doesn't make you broke.

And I've never had an issue with this as no server I have ever had is dumb enough to not ask in advance how to split the check.

 

Sorry, my original comments don't make sense on re-read. It was meant in the way of, if you're going to biitch about checks being split evenly, and you just want to pay your share, then carry cash - easy as that, especially if you KNOW the person you're going to dinner with has the habit of eating and drinking on your dime.

And I cannot believe people can live without cash? I use it every.single.day in cash only establishments - my local coffee shop, the cafeteria at work, the dry cleaners, my hair dresser. The vending machine.

As for where I stand on the check thing? With close friends we typically split the check evenly. It all comes out in the wash.

You use those all daily? Why?

I make my own coffee (and all coffee shops here take cards), take my lunch (or I have to fast food it, and they take cards), I have nothing that requires dry cleaning (and they take cards), my salon also takes cards and will put extra on if you wish to tip. I don't eat crap out of vending machines.

I haven't touched cash in over a week. True story.

 

I do buy coffee and lunch every day (unless I don't have time, and then hit the vending machine, in desperstion). Shy of not leaving the house, I don't know the last time a day went by that I (or my H) haven't used cash for one reason or another. 

Don't get me wrong I use my card too - I just patronize places that do not take cards.  

 Living in a card only world would be easier. :-) 

kehgirl

Mom2Oli:

wife1014:

What kind of places are cash only.  This is crazy to me, crazy. 

 

the roach coach maybe? I know even the food trucks in DC will take cards

PB correct me if I am wrong

I am not PB, but you are correct. Most of the trucks take Visa/MC. I even pay for my meter parking with a card or via Android app.

zeptattoo

scoutkate:

I have never once been out to eat in group and had someone suggest we split a check evenly, unless we've all ordered the same thing. 

This is an odd concept to me. 

Ditto this.

emsumm

Wife, it sounds like you can comfortably cover the excess when you eat with friends or in a group.  A lot of people can't.  If one person orders a salad and no drinks, it very well might be because he/she can't afford more.  Expecting them to then pay for the drinks and steaks of everyone else is pretty insensitive.  Pleeease don't respond that they should just stay home...