Eating out with friends

[lrjohnson]

Re: Eating out with friends

I do many of those variations, but the one thing that drives me nutty is just splitting a bill fourways (or whatever). If I have water and a small dish, it doesn't feel right to me to pay the same as a person who had appetizers/beer/etc. It's not so much the money; sometimes I like to pick up the whole tab, and don't care if people have gotten "more than me." I just hate the idea that people assume it's being split fairly, when it really isn't. Pet peeve, I admit. I've done rounding, and calculator, and back and forth, and separate checks, and all are fine deneding on the place, the people, etc.

[Snoopy2645]

Re: Eating out with friends

I like to go seperate because I am the type to go cheap!!! I have friends or dh who will go all out the drink the most expensive steak & so on I cant see paying so much for something I could make a whole dinner at that price for at home.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Eating out with friends

We usually alternate paying the bills with our friends. If we are with people we are not as close to we split the bill. We try to have people over for dinner so we don't have to go through this nonsense.

[StevenM]

Re: Eating out with friends

It depends upon your friends. With most you can just informally alternate picking up the tab, but if you have some of those type of friends that never seem to remember it's their turn, then you should state separate checks up front.

[katwoman]

Re: Eating out with friends

My friends and I usually just put in what we think we owe... Cost of the meal, plus tax, plus tip (I put in $10 total for a $7 meal, $20 for a $14 meal, which usually works out). Usually it works out, and if it doesn't, people keep adding dollars as they think they need to. It's not perfect, but split the bill down the middle and everyone who tried to order inexpensively, and not get a drink or anything, will be up in arms, and asking for 8 seperate checks is inconvenient for the wait staff.

I'm in a group of friends that has been going out weekly for 6 years and this is exactly the way we do it. Of course, none of us are quibblers.

Another friend of mine is the type that just can't stand the idea of even being a nickel over what she feels she owes, so she INSISTS on separate checks. I've always told her that she can't see the forest from the trees.

[CasaHova]

Re: Eating out with friends

I and my friends are all college aged and most of us either are still in or just graduated. We all know how tight money can be and we always split the check If it is someone's B-day or special event the others split their amount among the rest of us. I'm fortunate that we have never had a problem with check splitting.

[baselle]

Re: Eating out with friends

Looks like the take home message is know your friends...and it helps if your friends all have the same perspective on their money.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Eating out with friends

When I was really young I was super poor ya know pbj's for all 3 meals. So my best freind @ the time if she wanted to go out she usually paid for me cause she knew I couldn't afford McD's most of the time.

If I have money we do #3 if there's a coupon & #1 otherwise.

If it's w/ family we either pay the whole thing or they do so I guess it's Alternating who pays... but if it's usually for something like Mother's day I certainly can't see MIL & FIL payihng for lunch KWIM?

[Ima saver]

Re: Eating out with friends

I just like each paying their own checks when we go out.

[markio26]

Re: Eating out with friends

i try not to eat out with our friends.... they all, mooch on me.... sad tales about finances, health, their marriage, widower, etc..... i have been avoiding 4 of them this year, it was one of my goals... they still try to get me... i do not mind paying, let me say, but, i do not feel that i should have to be told a tall tale, just to accomadate them in their mooching... we have a few new friends we have made and we are very fair to each other... and have told each other the same similiar tales.. do you remember the one i wrote about where the one guys bill came out to over $300 at redlobster??? we are the only ones who gave our gc for the tip, and gave him $35 in money... we actually paid for another group, by doing this, and we did not even know them.. they just sat by and smiled..... never again, i will speak up... we felt sorry for the guy who invited them, and he did not have enough credit left on his card or something... and the one where 2 couples went out and the one husband flirted with the waitress, the entire time, and his buddy pulled out twenty bucks for the tip, but, wanted change back, and the husband grabbed it out of his hand and gave the entire twenty bucks to the waitress... i had to hear this tale from our neigbors until they moved... lol.... i try to be upfront, sick of saying i am broke... i just say, lets split, unless i treat and it is in my budget to do so... thanks for sharing everyone... good thread...

[threebeansalad]

Re: Eating out with friends

A little off-topic, but when I was in Germany I was really intrigued with these little hand held computer things the waiter used to key in your order and then calculate your total bill and take your money. It was standard (at least in the cafes in the University town I was in) for the waiter to go to each person tell them their total and then accept money individually. They didn't even ask if you wanted to pay together! This individual and oral communication of the amount owed proved challenging to people like myself with limited German. I had to listen very carefully! The same summer I travelled to Czech Republic, Spain, and Norway but never encountered a similar system.

[markio26]

we have not eaten out with any of our friends at all this year, so, far.... we have dessert and coffee at home with them only... saves a bundle of money and resentment... they are all cheap.... and selfish.....we do not know anyone who is as generous as us....they usually go home with fresh produce deals i have found, and over bought, or i ask them do they want organic tea bags, english muffins, etc.. things they normally do not buy for their home....i gave my brother club soda from my stockpile, was told it stops leg cramps and he has them at bedtime... gave him organic mineral salt from my stockpile, he would never try it otherwise.....

[LivingAlmostLarge]

DH went to a going away lunch last week and it cost $20 for lunch! Arrgh, because they split the bil and some people ordered beers. His meal was less than $10, and the guy who was leaving sure they paid for but at most it should have cost $3 split between 10 people.

I hate it when you have to go out with coworkers.