August 24, 2009

Modern Manners Monday: What Would You Do?


I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed lovely (and not too hot) summer weather.


Here's this week's quandary. I don't think it will be a surprise to many as most all of us have encountered this situation. TBS is interested in how you normally handle this scenario...I know there are a couple of schools of thought on it.


You and a group of great friends, 8 people or so, head out to a fabulous new restaurant after work. After much vino and intriguing conversation, the inevitable occurs...the final bill is presented. When it's time to settle, how do you handle? Pay on an itemized basis? Or do you divide bill evenly?


What would YOU do?

11 comments:

  1. While I prefer to split evenly, I usually end up dining with folks who don't share that sentiment which means I usually end up tallying the bill like a damn E&Y accountant. Very annoying.

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  2. Mostly, I suggest that people pay for thier own drinks and then split the food bill. I've had occasions where there are heavy drinkers and those that don't drink say, "I'm not paying for so-and-so's drinks." Which I happen to agree with especially when I ordered a $10 pasta plate and a soda and splitting the entire bill came to around $75.

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  3. When I'm with a group of friends we have asked for separate checks from the very beginning and it's not really a problem. I think that's fair because supposed someone order somthing thats $20 and another person ordered something that was $5. Why should that person be responsible for paying a portion of that person's meal.

    But then I've been out where we've all just split it cause that's just how that group of people are. I think it's a question that should come up as you are waiting for your table right at the beginning.

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  4. It depends on the group of people. With super close friends and people I know are good for it, I don't mind splitting the bill evenly, since it all works out in the end. But if I don't know half the table, and they order five drinks a piece, six appetizers and dessert when I drink water and have a salad, I will just pay for my portion. But even then, you might still end up forking over $100 for your $20 meal. Bottom line, I try to dine only with people I know and trust, so I can avoid this awkward situation entirely!

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  5. It depends who I'm with. The closer the group, most likely we'll split it evenly. The more formal the group, the most likely it would be split by person.

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  6. In my close group of friends, we always split the bill evenly. We eat together enough to know that it will all even out in the end.

    If it's a group we don't know as well, then it depends upon the sentiment of the group. I think you do have to be sensitive to the economic times and know that some may be counting their pennies much more closely than others.

    Debi

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  7. I hate this...especially because I don' drink, so I always get shafted when the bill is split evenly. I say itemize...

    or like to keep going to dinner in big groups to only an as needed basis...birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestone occasions.

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  8. It's extremely rare that I've split a bill evenly. Its usually if we all ordered similar things or its a buffet, etc. Usually, my pals and I just pay for what we order. I don't drink and I don't have many friends who are real drinkers. It can be tedious to tally up a bill like Babs said but usually someone in the group just does it. I do think it makes thing easier to bring cash. I've never had a problem in settling a bill with a large group.

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  9. I am laughing at Bab's comment, but my bf is a budget director and she can be counted on to maintain control of everyone's intake and contributions! I have often paid more than I have eaten, but if I see the situation getting out of control, I will often ask the waiter for a separate check and handle it away from the group.

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  10. Add the 20% to the bill for the tip, divide by number of people paying and tell everyone the amount.

    Simple.

    If you're not drinking...speak up before. If you have special dietary needs...speak up before. If you only have $20...speak up before.

    We'll handle it.

    Simple.

    This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

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  11. Divide the check evenly. It's so much easier.

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