Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

[Olympicnut]

So Brian and I and his roomie did dinner tonight and the bill with tax and tip came to $81. Those 2 were all "so the tab split three ways is...." and I'm all "EXCUSE ME?"

They, being from the east coast, were all ready to split this bill into 3. Here's what I had: a small pizza and Coke. Grand total for those 2 things - $14. Had we split the bill 3 ways we'd each pay $27!

Hello!! How is that fair? They got these big meals, split an appetizer and one got wine, and I'm suppose to be ok with paying $27 for my pizza and Coke when it really only should cost me $14?

We didn't split the cost 3 ways because I said no way, not gonna happen. I can see maybe if it's a large group of people splitting the cost, that makes sense to me. But when it was our situation tonight? I don't THINK so.

And this is common for east coasters to do this. I don't get it? So if I had just gotten a small salad that cost me $5 I'd have still had to pay $27? Where's the logic????

So what's all you MiceChatters take on bill splitting? How do you all do it?

[MandaBella]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

It depends.

If we all order similarly priced things, then we just split it. We all get burgers and a drink...then no need to haggle over someone's burger was $1 more than the others.

However, if one person only gets soup and another gets steak and alcohol...then we each pay our portion. It's not fair to make the person who ordered an item under $10 to pay over $20.

And then sometimes, we just take terms paying....especially if we dine out with certain people. These are people we frequently dine with, so it's not an issue.

[PirateMickey]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

When I go out with co-workers, we "guess-timate" each of our meal costs and add a chunk for the tip. Works for us. None of us worry about whether or not it's exact. What's a few bucks among friends???

I agree with you though. Splitting three ways is OK, but individually, not off of the total bill.

That must be the new math??? LOL

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

yeah, my sister likes to split the bill down the middle. I get an entree and a soda and she has about 5 bar drinks, appitizer and dessert. It bugs me...so I make her pay her share, but she won't add on tax or tip. I refuse to dine out with her now.

Ideally I like to get seperate checks, because I usually pay way to much just to make sure the bill gets paid and it still usually ends up short. I don't know why people find it so difficult to add.

[Disney Magic]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

I agree with you 100% O-nut, it would not be fair in your situation. It is common but I dont think it is an East coast thing. We typically divided the bill evenly with the tip figured in, only if everyone had similar orders instead of figuring out exactly what everyperson owes down to the penny.

[Spidergrrrl]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

I hate people who do that. Sometimes I deliberately get something inexpensive because, hello, I'm short on cash that day! My friends, as a general rule, contribute based on what they ordered, throw in a couple of bucks for tax and tip and it usually works out pretty well.

[migo]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Negativo...you pay what you ate. Screw them.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

I grew up on the East Coast and we never split evenly.

We bring our friend who is an accountant and don't worry. :lol:

We divide it by what the person had. I guess a time or 2 we just divide the whole thing but we hardly ever order things that are so similar.

I don't understand why people don't do seperate checks more often. I guess it's harder for the restaurant? But every time they don't split our check, they end up with a smaller tip.

Luckily, all my friends are good w/giving enough money for tax and tip. (I think I ammtoo? I always guestimate and put in a few more bucks to cover it and tax)

[MandaBella]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

You know what is nice is now some restaurants are giving you a bill with each person's food and drink total listed separately. Texas Roadhouse does this. It makes it really easy to determine how much you need to pay and tip.

We don't have tax.

[Grumpy4]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Pay for what you order.

[stinkerbell]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Bah! Matt, this just happened to me a few weeks back.

We had a group of eight, so it automatically goes on one check. It was my friend and me and then three married couples. My check came to $17. With a tip, I figure a little over $20, right?

Nope. I paid $35.

The jerks at my table split our bill up by debit cards. My friend paid $35, I paid $35 and then the three couples paid $35. So my "couple" paid $70!!

And did they threw us any cash, even after apologizing for the screw up? Nope.

We're all going out again Friday night, same group, without the men this time, plus a few other women. These chicks better throw us some cash or pay for a drink or two!! :bash: I'm still a bit peeved about it!

[Hector]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

I agree with Pay for what you got not what they did. Otherwise I would have added a few drinks in there.

[ScarLion]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

The short answer: Pay for what you order & then split the tip.

If you're dining with people you haven't dined with before...don't be afraid to inquire before ordering. It's better to deal with it before than later when the bill arrives.

[Tom Chaney]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Make sure you have some cash in your pocket. Next time your friends order the lobster and you have a dinner salad, when they say, "Let's split the check!" you just say, "Fine. Let's see... my salad was $7.00. Here's eight bucks." In a very non-confrontational manner, you've just paid your fair share, contributed to the tip and put the ball in their court.

[Alchimedes]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Pay what you order. Tip is split. Always have. That really sucks O-nut, sorry to hear this happened.

[Princess Picard]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Gotta say I'm shocked at the responses in this thread.

You invite some other human on this planet to lunch&I talk to them.

and:

Bill comes- bunch of responses are possible:

Friend: Its not a deal. period. deal w/it like an adult (21+)

OR its a business lunch thats reimbursable. 40% tip report 20%

or you are a NOVICE in the business world (-17) just fumble. its cute and pisses BUNCHES of people off!

[Princess Picard]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

^^^^^
FWIW- I've spent the last 9 years writing recipes/living in kitchens for a White Table cloth Italian Restaurant semi-chain. and have almost 16 years in the Restaurant industry....dang I sound old..

[mikeland]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

The exact same thing happened to me. I used to go out with a group and I'd always end up paying $25 for a salad and an iced tea. Not fair, but I didn't have the nerve to bring it up.

I rarely go to those lunches any more.

[cepiloyo]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Oh man, this is so tricky. It really comes down to your party. If it's people you can trust not to get angry at you, you can get away with splitting the cost accordingly. If not, you have to be prepared to split equally and not complain (at least not in front of them).

If I know I'm going to be in an "equal tab" party, I order whatever comes to mind: appetizers, drinks, desserts, whatever. If you know you'll be paying more than what you ate, at least enjoy it! The difference in what you'll pay will not be that much.

[Spidergrrrl]

Re: Splitting a restaurant tab - how do you do it?

Gotta say I'm shocked at the responses in this thread.

You invite some other human on this planet to lunch&I talk to them.

and:

Bill comes- bunch of responses are possible:

Friend: Its not a deal. period. deal w/it like an adult (21+)

OR its a business lunch thats reimbursable. 40% tip report 20%

or you are a NOVICE in the business world (-17) just fumble. its cute and pisses BUNCHES of people off!

Um, you're shocked that people here don't want to pay more than their fair share? I don't know about you, but I don't make enough money to be subsidizing other people's meals! And it is a deal, esp. if it happens more than once.