Last night I joined 9 other people for dinner at a very upscale restaurant. There were 4 couples including an engaged couple (we were there to celebrate with them). I and 1 other person went stag.
Before dinner the future groom asked for seperate checks but was told that that wasn't an option there. I and the other single each ordered an entre salad and 1 drink each; the couples ordered full entres with appetizers and multiple drinks.
When the bill came, one of the other people at the table announced that we'd all split the bill ten ways (the tab wasn't being picked up for our engaged friends). My "share" came to $57! while my orders only totaled $18. When I pointed out to this person that not everyone ate/drank the same amounts, her reply was a very curt "well, that's not my problem."
My married friend said to only pay for what I'd ordered.I put in $40. After all the "shares" were collected they were considerably short.
Opinions?
(Note to Yahoo! - character limits are stupid!)
2006-08-20 02:15:53 · 22 answers · asked by jtoc72 1 in Dining Out ➔ United States ➔ Detroit
Wow...that sucks. I can see why you'd feel awkward and why it would be a mess. I'm very surprised the restaurant wouldn't take care of it for you. When I first read your question my response was going to be to ask for separate checks at the beginning, but you did that. Truly, it sounds like it's not your problem. The other people were rude and probably secretly suspected they'd be getting a great deal if they suggested an even split between everyone. The "fair" thing to do would have been for you to only pay for your order plus a tip. You probably did the "polite" thing by being very generous and putting in more than you rightfully owed to keeps things from getting too upsetting and ruining the evening. Rightfully, they should not have expected that of you. If I were you I'd certainly think twice before going to dinner with that group of people again.
I definitely think that you can feel good about what you did.
2006-08-20 02:26:20 · answer #1 · answered by Some Guy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That stinks. This happened to me a few months ago too, but unfortunately I was not "good" friends with any of them and I hardly knew them so I couldn't really say anything. I ended up spending $50 at this semi-upscale restaurant. I ordered a main entree and tap water. A few appetizers were ordered, but we were all sharing it. Pitchers of alcohol were ordered, but I don't drink so I didn't have any. When the bill came, the people decided to treat the birthday girl for her share of the meal too, so they said the easiest way was to evenly split the bill. They were all good friends and I was the only outsider (roommate of the birthday girl), so I didn't speak up. My entree only cost $18, so with my share of the appetizers, it may have been $30 w/tip at the most, but I ended up paying almost twice of that! I swore to myself that I was never going to go out with them again. It cost me way too much to spend time with people I hardly knew or liked that much anyway. I could have easily stayed home that night for free and no roommate around too!
But to answer your question, I guess since you are really good friends with these people, you should have simply stated that you were going to pay for only your portion and a portion of the engaged couple's meal. You don't need to ask, you should just say that. The others can then evenly split the bill after they subtract your payment. What did your other friend who didn't order as much think anyway? You should have used her for leverage too and said that you and her will only pay for your own portions since you didn't drink or ordered that much. That way, it won't be as bad since it is more than one person.
2006-08-20 17:10:59 · answer #2 · answered by Sabrina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only pay your $18 + $tip.
The groom asked for seperate checks earlier, and the Worker basicly said "NO" because he gets to add a party surcharge of 15% or more. He said NO to make money. If he is short, it's HIS FAULT for not working with you, hopefully, his tip will cover the amount missing. Bills can be split, he was just too lazy or greedy to do it.
Who announced to split the bill 10 ways? You could have him pick up your extra share.
2006-08-20 02:31:06 · answer #3 · answered by FLSTC 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should have only put in the amount you owed plus tip. In this case I would have tipped the waiter separately so it wasn't convoluted in the dispute over who owes what. Either way don't let someone bully you into doing something you don't feel responsible for. I do think it would have been a different situation had the engaged party been treated but only to the extent that their bill was split between the other parties.
2006-08-20 03:30:19 · answer #4 · answered by JJ 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow you have some rude friends.
I usually don't carry much cash so I have to pay with credit card. I've found this actually helps when it comes to splitting a bill. So when I go out with a group and the bill is not split, we all pass around the bill, circle what we ordered and write our name by it and put our credit card in. So, then the waiter can match cards to names. Then I throw a dollar or 2 on the table in the tip pile or charge it on the card.
2006-08-20 02:35:49 · answer #5 · answered by Artist1320 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I really hate when this happens. Some people are really cheap Bas***s...that's all I can say. Not you, but I know friends who run up tabs like that and then want to split it up evenly...I feel really bad about it sometimes, so i end up picking up more than my share at the table just to keep the peace. It sucks though because I work hard for my money just like everyone else. If you can not afford to eat out...stay at home, that is a simple rule to me!!
my advice, next time meet them out for drinks afterwords....it seems as though this is what your friends are about anyway.
My best to the new couple...they didn't even pick up their bill...that's just embarrassing!!
2006-08-20 02:54:10 · answer #6 · answered by O Jam 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Thats a jerky move. Usually when my friends & I go out- we will split it evenly between us- like that, UNLESS there is some disparity between the meals & drinks ordered. I'd never let someone who had 15 bucks worth of food pick up the tab for others who had alot more. Luckily enough, the people I hang out with are the same. Its easier to just split it, but not if someone's going to get hosed.
2006-08-20 03:27:05 · answer #7 · answered by Margaret D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same thing happened to my sister for her BIRTHDAY! We all went out to dinner and we had some "non-tippers". In a large party the tip of 20% is added to the bill. The service was exceptional. We stayed for hours and ate, drank and had a wonderful time. They are just cheap and won't tip. My sister had to pay 60.00 for her own party! We will never go with them again.
2006-08-20 03:30:50 · answer #8 · answered by Debi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was incredibily rude of your friend to tell you it wsn't her problem. I think you did the right thing of chipping in what you saw best. I hate when this happens.
You should not have been responsible for paying for someone elses over the top meal. I think you did the right thing of chipping in a little more for the purchase of your friends meal for their engagement.
I always say that I will not put in for the alcholic drinks served, appetizers that I do not order ext. I feel if people want extras like that then they should pay for them.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051225/news_1c25split.html
this was a pretty good article.
2006-08-20 02:32:10 · answer #9 · answered by dazee052 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just want to say - a lot of good answers already!
What my friends and I do when we all get together to eat is when the bill comes we simply pass it along to each person or couple and when it comes to you, you add your money to the bill. [or if you have a credit/debit --pass it along as with your portion circled]
We found that this works the best for us because it eliminates one person shouting across the table how much each person owes and being stuck with the duty of counting it all up and figuring out a check. We all pay our own share and leave individual tips [ the waiter usually walks away happier as well]
And as far as your friend goes - tell him you didn't appreciated his comment
2006-08-20 04:52:15 · answer #10 · answered by AJ 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋