Split Checks?

[mjkacmom]

In theory, it probably sounds that way. In practice it's quite often the faster method.

Sure, faster for you, but longer for the poor schmuck waiting on you.

 

[Bob NC]

Sure, faster for you, but longer for the poor schmuck waiting on you.

I have to ask, I am honestly curious.

Are you saying that there is only one right, or acceptable way to settle a restaurant tab and that is your way?

 

[mickeysgal]

Sure, faster for you, but longer for the poor schmuck waiting on you.

I would venture to say most don't think twice about this. It's part of the job, imho. They'll cope just as a chef has to cope with patron's dietary/allergy restrictions that may cause them to add a bit more time into preparation of the restricted meal that ends up costing the same as a normal preparation. No one limits those requests based on the mindset of "poor schmuck" thats cooking. Bottom line, it's all part of the job of running a restaurant. Either they want the business or not. I'm guessing they'll suffer through the separate check processing just fine.

I have to ask, I am honestly curious.

Are you saying that there is only one right, or acceptable way to settle a restaurant tab and that is your way?

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Now I have to check the leaderboard again to make sure I didn't slip into the top 10.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have to ask, I am honestly curious.

Are you saying that there is only one right, or acceptable way to settle a restaurant tab and that is your way?

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

 

[sam_gordon]

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

Just because something is "JUST NOT DONE" in one area of the country doesn't mean it's wrong, bad, or insulting. I don't think one person who prefers separate checks has said others shouldn't split the checks evenly. Yes, they've given examples of why THEY don't do it, but I don't think anyone has said separate checks is the ONLY CORRECT way to do it. Your post however, reeks of judgement.

In fact, this post of your doesn't answer Bob's question. Do you believe YOUR way is the ONLY correct way to settle a bill?

 

[DMRick]

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

Where is your part of the country? I've traveled with others in an RV all over the country. We've always been able to get sep checks.

 

[Bob NC]

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

Gotcha.

I think we all get it now.

Wouldn't it maybe more correct to say IT'S JUST NOT DONE, by you and your friends?

 

[mickeysgal]

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

I'm trying to understand where you're coming from.

Is "here" a city, a region, or just a particular restaurant that you frequent?
So far, we've not heard on this thread, of any region/city in the U.S. that has a total lock down on no separate checks.

Who does it seem cheap to other than you? I doubt the restaurant cares or discusses it with others. I would imagine that the other patrons don't care either way - would they even know?

I know there are certain, particular restaurants that state on the menu various restrictions of such as: splitting meals not allowed, splitting meals subject to a surcharge, no separate checks, or cash only. I don't believe they are norm though but rather the rare exception.

 

[gwynne]

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

I'm still wondering, where is "here"? General idea...please?

Separate checks in Las Vegas, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and LA, the servers don't bat an eye, they just give each party a check. Easy!
How do I remember this? Company travel requires separate checks on company cc. (And..sigh..it's not a cheap thing, it's a avoid conflict of interest thing. Some businesses have to be very careful about this.)

 

[Pigeon]

Around here, most establishments don't do or don't want to do separate checks. If they did, I'd vote for that, but it's generally not an option.

My second preference would be to just divide the bill evenly. I don't drink alcohol, usually have water, and never order an appetizer. But I'd rather pay a little extra than haggle over who had what.

 

[Laura66]

I don't get how it looks cheap at all. A server has to make a separate check for each table - how much more work is it to make a separate check for each group at a table.
Servers here always ask - even in nigh end restaurants. When I've gone to Disney with other families the server always asks how the bill is to be split!
Look down on me if you will - or think I'm cheap - doesn't bother me in the least.
If someone orders an appetizer to share we just tell the server to put it on the check of whoever wants to treat.


(and I'm amazed at people calling others cheap or worrying that something appears cheap. Being frugal and budgeting your money is not something to be embarrassed about)

 

[Bob NC]

Who does it seem cheap to other than you? I doubt the restaurant cares or discusses it with others. I would imagine that the other patrons don't care either way - would they even know?

Actually, the question was:

How do you split your restaurant checks?

That's why it's kind of odd that anyone is saying their way is best, other ways are cheap, one was is acceptable, one way is not.

The poll question doesn't even call for an opinion.

 

[fairestoneofall]

we've always split the checks based on what one orders.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Sure, faster for you, but longer for the poor schmuck waiting on you.

Faster in total is the goal. It may (or may not) require more effort on the part of the server but if it empties the table quicker, that gives the server a chance to make money on the NEXT group of diners

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm still wondering, where is "here"? General idea...please?

Separate checks in Las Vegas, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and LA, the servers don't bat an eye, they just give each party a check. Easy!
How do I remember this? Company travel requires separate checks on company cc. (And..sigh..it's not a cheap thing, it's a avoid conflict of interest thing. Some businesses have to be very careful about this.)

If you look at the siggy's of the posters who feel the same way I do, you will notice a pattern - NJ, CT, NYC, LI. I've lived in this area my entire life, as has my DH, parents, IL's, and friends (we don't get a lot of transplants here from other areas due to the COL - everyone is running away). I've dined with tons of different people - family, friends, book clubs, bunco groups, work friends - and never, not once, had separate checks. Most of the time, someone does the math, and we all hand over our cash. It works for us.

You can believe whatever you want, but I really think I know more than outsiders how things roll here.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

It seems like folks can't believe that there are places where it is VERY rare for people to have separate checks, or where people split the bill evenly. It seems like people can't believe that others go to restaurants and bring cash!

Therefore, HERE, if someone asks for a separate check, YES, it does make them seem cheap, because IT'S JUST NOT DONE here! It would be like someone asking to decide who pays the whole check via rock/paper/scissors - again, also not done here.

No, what is hard to believe is the complete rejection of the idea from folks who've never even experienced it as if it's somehow beneath them. It's also curious that one would automatically thinks those who are used to this system, or any who may be entertaining such a system must automatically be "cheap", "anal", or somehow not "adult".

Thankfully, the bulk of the folks who thought it "odd" because it's not normal in their circle/area have commented that they are open to the idea were they to experience it. But, that does not appear to be the case for everyone who is used to the single check, and that is the curious part. Just as those who are accostomed to separate checks are open to the idea of a single check in an appropriate setting, one would assume those who are accostomed to a single check would be open to the idea of separate checks in an appropriate setting.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just as those who are accostomed to separate checks are open to the idea of a single check in an appropriate setting, one would assume those who are accostomed to a single check would be open to the idea of separate checks in an appropriate setting.

And I would, in an appropriate setting. However, I don't feel a restaurant where I live would be an appropriate setting, because if I brought it up, out with friends, they would probably feel uncomfortable, because it's so out of the norm.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Fair enough

 

[okeydokey]

If you look at the siggy's of the posters who feel the same way I do, you will notice a pattern - NJ, CT, NYC, LI. I've lived in this area my entire life, as has my DH, parents, IL's, and friends (we don't get a lot of transplants here from other areas due to the COL - everyone is running away). I've dined with tons of different people - family, friends, book clubs, bunco groups, work friends - and never, not once, had separate checks. Most of the time, someone does the math, and we all hand over our cash. It works for us.

You can believe whatever you want, but I really think I know more than outsiders how things roll here.

Funny, I've dined in many of those same areas and separate checks have always been given without the blink of an eye.

 

[DMRick]

Been all over CT From Hartford, Waterbury, Norwich to Naugatuck and beyond, many cities in NJ and even in NYC where we have split checks. Haven't been out to LI, however, some of the people we travel with lived there at the time and they didn't say a word when we split the checks. We camp with camping groups and have just met most of the people we eat out with...I don't want to pay for their order and they don't want to pay for mine. Plus we all pay with credit cards. Maybe you have just never asked, in the restaurants you have been in. You might be surprised.

If you look at the siggy's of the posters who feel the same way I do, you will notice a pattern - NJ, CT, NYC, LI. I've lived in this area my entire life, as has my DH, parents, IL's, and friends (we don't get a lot of transplants here from other areas due to the COL - everyone is running away). I've dined with tons of different people - family, friends, book clubs, bunco groups, work friends - and never, not once, had separate checks. Most of the time, someone does the math, and we all hand over our cash. It works for us.

You can believe whatever you want, but I really think I know more than outsiders how things roll here.