Paying the check at a restaurant...?

Question

Do you prefer splitting the check ( evenly) at restaurants when you dine with family or friends?
Or do you think that seperate checks work out better? If so, is it ok, or does it seem tacky to ask before ordering, if the server can put it on seperate checks?
Sometimes you might order something small, for a few bucks, and other parties might have the most expensive thing on the menu...so, if splitting evenly, how do you feel about this?
I understand that "treating" another person to dinner, etc. falls into a different situation. So my question is generally speaking; for example, lunch with friends.

Answer 1

I usually pick up all checks.

Answer 2

Separate checks are a major pain for the server,especially if it's busy.And as a general rule parties that request them are the worst tippers ever invented.So if you go that route tip heavily.!0 percent was 1950.I personally prefer splitting the check evenly between all parties.If the check is $80 and you have 5 people everybody throws in $20 covers the tip and the check. Regrettably there are those who will order the most expensive item on the menu and have 4 martini's after they've realized you usually split evenly.That situation is easily remedied.Have someone else order light and when the check arrives you split it. Then tell everyone that so and so only had whatever so we'll each pay our own today to be fair.The offending party can't complain tactfully. It will either make them more cautious in the future,break them of the bad behavior or preferably keep them from coming again.With the exception of business and the aforementioned idiot ,I never dine w/ people I wouldn't purchase a cocktail for so if I have to throw in a few dollars more whats the big deal. I have to say reading some of the other answers I had to add to mine.I can't believe how cheap most of these people are.I'll bet there isn't a person who has ever left a tip over 15% in their life.

Answer 3

I walked in late to a dinner with a few aquaintances once and they had had dinner and wine etc. I got there in time for dessert. At the end I put a $20 bill on the table thinking I'd get at least 10 back, but they just took my 20 like everyone else's money, needless to say I never ate out with those people again.
I think if people are having about the same things, that a few bucks less or more doesn't matter, but generally my vote goes to seperate checks and no; don't feel the least bit bad about asking for seperate checks before you order. Especially if you first ask your companion(s) "Let's ask for seperate checks, so we don't have to do any math!". That gets a chuckle and a consent everytime, then when you ask it's like you're both (all) asking. ;o)

Answer 4

The best idea to this situation is this....

If you are only ordering something small, stay home that night and save the entire amount! Now you have saved an embarrassing situation and a few dollars that you didn't need to spend. If you were all getting large meals, then it is proper to split it evenly. the cheap person either; always orders real big to make out by a half dollar or so, or, they order small to save money but they leave hard feelings.

Go hungry to join in the feast or stay home is the safest bet. You could ask for separate checks with co-workers, but not family.

Answer 5

We, too, own an OLD-FASHIONED cafe and do any splitting by hand or at the register. Here's the splitting the check answer from my cook's point of view. If 8 people are at a table and ask for separate checks at my cafe, we have to write 8 tickets and my cooks have to make sure all the food comes out at the same time. It's less confusing to get the order on one ticket and split it at the register. My front people can ask each person exactly what they ordered, so my wait staff don't have to put time into divide the total at an adding machine and have more time for all the current customers we have. Bottom line, if you order it expect to pay in full for it, but ask the staff if they can split it at the register. (Some restaurants don't have fancy computer systems that can easily do it before that time.)

Answer 6

Well, what you have just described is a pretty sticky situation. If you don't want to split the bill evenly you appear cheap. Then on the other hand why should you pay for things you didn't eat especially when what you bought cost significantly less than the rest of your lunchmates. I will only split the bill if it is a huge party like 8 or more otherwise I am going to pay for what I ate plus tax nothing more. If everyone is going out knowing ahead of time that the bill is going to be split everyone should taking into consideration when ordering how much income everyone has at their disposal.

Answer 7

I don't have a problem splitting the check as long as everyone ordered something approximately equal. I have been to lunch before when someone ordered an appetizer, drink and lunch and wanted to split the check. I usually drink water and eat light at lunch so I was frankly appalled that she thought it was okay to split the check. She shared the appetizer but I didn't have any. Generally, I ask for separate checks or I grab the check and add up my purchases and contribute what I actually owe plus tip.

Answer 8

Nothing wrong with asking for separate checks. Servers at restaurants get that all the time and they're used to it. When I eat out with friends we usually get separate checks, but if we don't we'll sit down with the bill and figure out who had what and how much of the bill we owe, as opposed to dividing the bill evenly. Yeah, I know; too much math for some people, but in my mind it's not fair for someone else to pay for part of my bill, or vice versa.

Answer 9

it depends on the restaurant. Is this a place you go often? Do they know you? I pay with checks at 2 local restaurants, but they see me in there often. I have also "bought" gift cards at a national chain and paid with checks. Then we use them to pay for our dinner the same night. You can always call before you go and ask.

Answer 10

I prefer separate checks. For one reason, I always drink water and save almost $2.00 on a drink alone. My budget for eating out is small and I don't want to split a check when my my total is far less than the others. I don't care how good a friend they are and I don't care that it is more work for the server.

Answer 11

As a restaurant owner I get asked this weekly. It is never a problem to make separate checks for customers. If the staff cant do it then they are not good enough to serve you. With to days prices it has become accepted to ask for separate bills. If people ask you out then it is different. But by mutual consent if all agree to go out as a group then split the bill.