Separate checks?

[krcit]

I went out to lunch today and there was a group of 8 women just finishing up. They each had separate checks. It took the poor waitress 10 minutes to ring them each up. After they left, I was talking to her and she said that last time they came in they didn't tell her to give them seperate checks and made her redo the check. Ughh. This is a little panini place where there is nothing over $12 on the menu. If I went out with a group that did that it would be the last time. I'm sure I'll get a bunch of posters who disagree with me but I hate separate checks

 

[scrapquitler]

I went out to lunch today and there was a group of 8 women just finishing up. They each had separate checks. It took the poor waitress 10 minutes to ring them each up. After they left, I was talking to her and she said that last time they came in they didn't tell her to give them seperate checks and made her redo the check. Ughh. This is a little panini place where there is nothing over $12 on the menu. If I went out with a group that did that it would be the last time. I'm sure I'll get a bunch of posters who disagree with me but I hate separate checks

I have a friend who is a waitress. She'll do separate checks, but she says it's a lot more work, and more confusing for the kitchen because it makes it more difficult for them to coordinate all the food coming out at the same time.

I've been in a lot of restaurants with large groups like that, and they often WON'T do separate checks.

Why did it take the cashier so long to ring them up? 8 customers couldn't have possibly taken 10 minutes EACH to be rung up (that would be over an hour just for cashing them all out), I'm sure it just seemed that way.

 

[Coconut36]

I think with large parties separate checks can be such a pain for the wait staff. If it is just 2 people or 2 couples I don't think it is likely that big of a deal assuming it is mentioned/asked for up front.

There is a Mexican food restaurant I go to frequently (small place and not a "chain") and they issue one check but they write up everything separately and if you go up and pay they can easily break out what belongs to what person and total it up for you to pay..that way the staff doesn't have to issue several checks but groups can pay individually if they want.

 

[krcit]

I have a friend who is a waitress. She'll do separate checks, but she says it's a lot more work, and more confusing for the kitchen because it makes it more difficult for them to coordinate all the food coming out at the same time.

I've been in a lot of restaurants with large groups like that, and they often WON'T do separate checks.

Why did it take the cashier so long to ring them up? 8 customers couldn't have possibly taken 10 minutes EACH to be rung up (that would be over an hour just for cashing them all out), I'm sure it just seemed that way.

I didn't word that right!! It took her a total of 10 minutes. Probably less actually but it seemed like forever because I was hungry, lol!

 

[etoiles]

I have to do separate checks because it really has irritated me in the past when I ate very cheaply and ended up paying for other people's pricey meals without a thank you or anything. Separate checks helps friendships stay happy for me.

If they need money to cover their meal, ask, don't just divide the check by x people and expect me to pay for you. I realize that separate checks do take longer though and I tip a good amount for this convenience.

 

[Kellydelly]

I love seperate checks . If I didn't choose to have a cocktail I don't want to worry about paying for yours . It is always awkward when splitting a check in my experience.

 

[Art 1]

To me people can really look cheap splitting a check. Just figure your meal out as close as you can then add some to it. If you end up paying $10 or so more what's the big deal.

 

[eeyoremum]

What is the issue? Most registers can easily divide the check. It would be easier of course if the customers would have said to begin with.

 

[shortbun]

Women are notorious for this behavior. Ladies, bring cash and throw money on the pile-more than you owe. Also make sure the waiter gets their 20%.
Two checks is one thing- 3 or more should be worked out in advance. Your waiter has other patrons.

 

[JessicaR]

Separate checks are silly. It seems that those that insist on them are cheap - stay home next time. I'll have a water and a salad - oh and I don't drink! Yeah - no.

Thankfully I don't have to deal with that. We all eat and drink our share.

 

[rewok]

Over here separate checks are the norm, and I'm happy about that. Don't want to "split" the bill in half and pay what you feel like eating. Also not fun when everyone wants to pay using a card. Yes it takes a bit longer to pay, but that's life! The restaurant should be there to accommodate its customers.

Whenever we travel in the US with friends or family, we make do with your norm, but still not enjoy it very much. We keep the detailed checks, and sum up at the end of the trip to see what we owe each other.

 

[RachaelA]

I've very rarely gone anywhere and not done separate checks. Even in huge groups, the waitress usually asks from the start who is on what check (we don't even have to ask!).

Why should I have to pay for someone else's alcohol or expensive appetizer or their tip? Because there is always that person that shorts the bill by not adding in for the tip and everyone else ends up paying for it.

 

[disykat]

Separate checks are silly. It seems that those that insist on them are cheap - stay home next time. I'll have a water and a salad - oh and I don't drink! Yeah - no.

Thankfully I don't have to deal with that. We all eat and drink our share.

If all of us who enjoy eating out but prefer to drink water stay home, restaurants would be in a lot of trouble.

In my experience, restaurants are very happy to serve people who let their preferences be known. Their job is to make my experience enjoyable and worry free. Separate checks do this. It's not enjoyable if I end up paying for every one else's food and it's not enjoyable if I have to refrain from ordering something extra because I know there's someone who will insist on "spliting" the bill.

Personally, although I only waitressed briefly, I found it much easier to do separate checks than to have people fighting over insisting on paying the bill. "I'll take that. Oh, no you won't, give it to me..."

 

[JessicaR]

If all of us who enjoy eating out but prefer to drink water stay home, restaurants would be in a lot of trouble.

I agree. I guess I'm fortunate that those I dine with have the same tendencies that I do.

 

[MIGrandma]

When I waitressed the only time I hated separate checks was when the Lion's Club came in the third Monday of every month. I was the only waitress on the floor, and if there were only 6-8 Lion's Club members it wasn't bad, but when there were 16-20 of them it was bad. I had a numbering system and would put #1 at the top of the first person's check as I took their order, then when I moved to the second person I put #2 at the top, and so on. That did make it so much easier for the cooks as I put them up on the wheel in the kitchen in the order of the numbers so they knew when they got to the last number, that was all the Lion's Club food. Plus I always announced to them, "hey guys, I have the Lion's Club orders." Then when I took the orders out it was easy to know which plate went to which person. And after adding up their checks I could pass them out pretty quickly but it did take quite awhile to add them all up. And if it was a busy night and I had other customers, it made it doubly hard. The last year or so that I worked there the owner finally gave me a hostess for a couple of hours during the dinner rush, and sometimes she would add them up for me so that was a big help.

But normally separate checks didn't bother me, and I agree with others about splitting a check evenly. If one person orders a cheaper meal and doesn't drink alcohol why should they have to pay extra for others who do? When going out with other couples we always get separate checks.

 

[VAfamily1998]

That is why I hate going out to eat with a big group!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No issue with separate checks, but it should be common courtesy to let the server no ahead of time. That way, if they don't do it--you will know. And if they do, they have a heads up.

 

[badblackpug]

I don't understand why it's so hard to keep track of your bill. If you don't want to split the check evenly, because you had a cheaper meal, or didn't drink, just have everyone keep track of their meal...

I had the steak for $23.99
a beer for $6
pie for $8

that's $38
round to $40
add 20% tip $8
that's $48
throw $50 onto the table.

 

[MIGrandma]

I don't understand why it's so hard to keep track of your bill. If you don't want to split the check evenly, because you had a cheaper meal, or didn't drink, just have everyone keep track of their meal...

I had the steak for $23.99
a beer for $6
pie for $8

that's $38
round to $40
add 20% tip $8
that's $48
throw $50 onto the table.

That's fine if everyone agrees to that, but sometimes people vote to just split the whole bill evenly and that might not be fair to some.

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, I'm right there with you. Hate separate checks. Just figure what you owe, add tip and round up so you factor in tax etc.