Appropriate way to say "lets split the bill"?

Question

You are with 5 friends just fininshing a restaraunt meal and its time to go. Everyone is avoiding to ask the waiter for the bill as he/she may have to pay for it. What is a appropriate way to do this without risking to pay for the bill yourself ?

What you say and how your say it makes a big different. Your gestures and eye contacts are strong indicators as well. But how should it be used ?

Answer 1

First just know what you want to do, then have fun doing it. I like to say, " Lets split it."

Answer 2

I saw that the first response mentioned separate checks. That is not an accepted practice here in the Chicago area. What I do in a group of that size is tell the group I am going to ask for the bill and we are all going to figure out what we owe. The easiest way is to split the bill five ways but that is sometimes not practical given alcohol vs. pop or appetizers for some but not all. We are all responsible adults and we should all put in our fair share. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

When the Waiter comes to your table and asks you if you will be having separate bills-you speak up and say yes. Then if the others feel the need to help out the rest--that is their decision. Now if you all ate the appetizers it would only be right to pitch in some money on that one.

Answer 4

I would just say, and I have said this before just because I have got stuck with the bill, "let me know how much I owe!" That sort of opens the opportunity for everyone else to feel less obliged to paying for the whole thing. You not only do yourself a favor, but the others also!

Answer 5

Say "With a 15% tip, the total bill comes to $122." And then you put $25 (or whatever your fair share is) in the middle of the table, with the bill, and look expectantly around. Why would you want to dine with people or the sort who try to 'stick' others with the check, anyhow?

Answer 6

If you're going with people you don't know and you have no idea how this will go, make sure you have cash with you. I will generally ask to see the check and then put the cash for my meal plus tax plus tip out on the table. This takes care of "you" - the rest is up to the others in the party. :)

Answer 7

I would say, "Hey, do you think we should call for the bill?" (the we alerts everyone that they should rightly contribute to the bill). Once the waiter comes over, say "We'd like to get our bills please." If you feel that doesn't make it clear that the bills would be individual, turn to your table and say, "Hey, just to make sure, do any of you guys want to combine your orders onto one of the bills?" (almost everyone would say no). Thank the waiter... and move on. Good luck!

Answer 8

always tell the waiter that you would like separate bills as soon as you sit down. either that or say you have to go to the bathroom, then slip out the back and go wait in the car

Answer 9

hey that should not worry you, its normal for everyone to controbute, i used to go for lunches with my husbands family and we will all pay a quater of the total amount, say the bill is 100 euros and we are 5 or six pple we all foot the bill its okay, you should not be ashamed to ask them, there is nothing bad about it.

Answer 10

Before you ever order ask for seperate checks. Usually the waiter/waitress will ask when taking order. If it's too late just ask for your check like it's what you expected all along.

Answer 11

This sounds like this should be established before the date starts. You could all pitch in from the start and what ever is left in the pot after the bill, tax, and ti....satisfied could go toward the next date. : )