Dinner Bill Etiquette

[Squiggly 10]

If out with my friends we always split equally. Some times you may gain, some times you may lose, but it all balances up over time. But it can be tricky with people you don't know very well. I think a jokey comment like "bloody hell, £50 for a coke and a salad?!!!" might have prompted someone in the larger group to think for a sec and say .. "hang on you've not been here all night, just stick a tenner in" or whatever.

[Dave650 10]

It's worse when you have to pay for everything 'cause you earn more' - I hate paying 'woman tax', more so when it's to make you feel bad for 'success'

[savbaby 10]

i would have done the same as you.

 

I usually split the bill equal but on nights i dont drink i only pay for my food and tip, this is usually as i am the taxi at the end but my friends never make me pay even for the soft drinks!

 

i think you need to voice it now that they will be sober, as the next time you go out they may make snide remarks!

[Savannah2 10]

It's worse when you have to pay for everything 'cause you earn more' - I hate paying 'woman tax', more so when it's to make you feel bad for 'success'

 

'Woman tax' Never heard of that before. I earn less than my partner, so I get my meals for free!

[Old_Bloke 10]

I get my meals for free!

 

I do as well, but it involves running quickly when nobody's looking

[Suffragette1 10]

It's worse when you have to pay for everything 'cause you earn more' - I hate paying 'woman tax', more so when it's to make you feel bad for 'success'

 

Never heard of woman tax before nor would I expect someone earning more than me to contribute more.

 

I personally always split the bill evenly. If there is someone who's not drinking or eaten far fewer courses etc then I always insist that they contribute less.

 

I have however been out on some occasions, whilst pregnant for example, where I ended up subisidising everyone's drink bill when I sat like a great lump sipping my sparkling water. However, I would never complain about it directly to them, it probably all evens out in the end.

[Bago 10]

It's worse when you have to pay for everything 'cause you earn more' - I hate paying 'woman tax', more so when it's to make you feel bad for 'success'

Then don't do it.

 

Well, social ettiquette is a funny thing any way. I once tried to pay for the soft drinks for my friends. Well, I thought he was a friend, but really he is more of a friend of a friend. When I did this, he gave me the most dirty look ever, and left the money and ran. I'm thinking "I'm trying to build a friendship here, you don't have to be so rude!" It took me a long time to think about it, as to why he wouldn't let me pay for a soft drink. Some guys have this reputation to uphold, and don't let girls pay.

 

I just remember being very miffed.

Anyway, he never did became a good friend or a close friend, and we never really talked talked....So, it's just the way it is. You win some, you lose some.

 

Yet, some guys will only pay if they're dating you, and don't if not etc. lol... It's so cut-throat sometimes this socialising business.

[Bago 10]

Oh, to add to the confusion. I have a friend who is quite traditional, and don't pay for her own drinks directly either.

 

She will give her share of the money and let the guy get the drink. I think it may be from really old values and tradition or something, but then the guy always takes it on the chin and behave very gentlemanly.

 

It's quite funny when you think about it.

[mr_busdriver 10]

Ok, so recently I was invited out to 2 dinner parties on the same night. one was early and one later in the evening so timing was great for me.

The first party I went to was at a nice buffet restaurant and everyone paid their own way.

 

The second one I went to is where my question lies.

The bar tab was already quite high by the time I arrived and as I was driving I had a coke.

I was the last to arrive, so we were moved into the dining area and our orders taken. I had already eaten, so I ordered a salad as a main, so I wouldn't just be sitting there like an idiot, but everyone else ordered an entree, a main and dessert, as well as copious amounts of alcohol.

 

i was well prepared to pay my own way plus some for the tip and also a contribution to the party girl, but when the bill came, they decided to split it evenly between us.

 

As I said I was willing to give extra, which would have come to about £20, but when I was expected to cough up £50, I was a little bewildered and said

'um, No'

 

I was looked at like I was a cheapskate, someone even offered to 'lend me the money if I couldn't afford it'.

 

someone else vocalised the same concern I had and squabbleing ensued. In the end, 1 guy paid for the lot to stop the arguments, but now I'm being blamed for ruining the evening.

 

Was I wrong to question the splitting of the bill, or was I breaking Dinner Bill Ettiquette?

 

 

 

 

 

I know it sounds awful, but I had that stunt pulled on me.

 

I had kept tabs of what my bill would come to and it arrived at £17, I hadn't gone for the most expensive food.........However, at the end of the meal the group suggested we split the difference which meant we all had to pay £30. SO muggins here who was driving, and as such not drinking was left out of pocket.

 

So now, when its a group night out I make the following rules.

 

1) never drive - so you can get as drunk as an MP in a beer garden

 

2) Eat the most exspensive food on the menu.

 

3) Have at least 3 courses

 

4) Have a coffee at the end PLUS A LIQUER

 

So now, for me, group meals can be classed as a cheap night out

[nightrider 13]

Ok, so recently I was invited out to 2 dinner parties on the same night. one was early and one later in the evening so timing was great for me.

The first party I went to was at a nice buffet restaurant and everyone paid their own way.

 

The second one I went to is where my question lies.

The bar tab was already quite high by the time I arrived and as I was driving I had a coke.

I was the last to arrive, so we were moved into the dining area and our orders taken. I had already eaten, so I ordered a salad as a main, so I wouldn't just be sitting there like an idiot, but everyone else ordered an entree, a main and dessert, as well as copious amounts of alcohol.

 

i was well prepared to pay my own way plus some for the tip and also a contribution to the party girl, but when the bill came, they decided to split it evenly between us.

 

As I said I was willing to give extra, which would have come to about £20, but when I was expected to cough up £50, I was a little bewildered and said

'um, No'

 

I was looked at like I was a cheapskate, someone even offered to 'lend me the money if I couldn't afford it'.

 

someone else vocalised the same concern I had and squabbleing ensued. In the end, 1 guy paid for the lot to stop the arguments, but now I'm being blamed for ruining the evening.

 

Was I wrong to question the splitting of the bill, or was I breaking Dinner Bill Ettiquette?

 

No. Splitting the bill is only ok if everyone had quite similar amounts for food and drink. If one person blatantly had a lot less than they should pay less. So if you only had a salad and no alcohol why should you pay for anything else?!

[rainbow sky 10]

If out with my friends we always split equally. Some times you may gain, some times you may lose, but it all balances up over time. But it can be tricky with people you don't know very well. I think a jokey comment like "bloody hell, £50 for a coke and a salad?!!!" might have prompted someone in the larger group to think for a sec and say .. "hang on you've not been here all night, just stick a tenner in" or whatever.

 

 

 

Yep. I agree this sounds a good way to me:D

[Dave650 10]

Yep. I agree this sounds a good way to me:D

 

I'd love to be able to do this with my mates but they're all cheap students. Got some serious lessons in life to learn yet...