Split Checks?

[Gumbo4x4]

Yes, but all six of us are looking at our checks at the same time, not one after another as we have to do if there is a single check. PLUS we don't have do as much math in our heads (dividing if there were multiples of the same item, adding up all the items, calculating taxes) which can take a LONG time for some people!

TP

It's been a long time since I've been to an extended dinner with a large group of friends/semi-friends all on one ticket, and the current tickets are probably easier to read, but in the old days this procedure was VERY time consuming. People come in, order drinks, someone's running late so appetisers are ordered, rest of party arrives & orders their drinks, part of the original group orders their 2nd round of drinks while some of them don't, late arrivers order their appetisers, and finally everyone orders their meal, except for "Jim & Cindy" because they just thought we were going for drinks and they've already eaten. Some add more drinks as they go, some don't, some add desserts while others don't, but maybe they add yet another drink.

So, when the bill comes, my portion of it is on line 3, line 17, line 19, and line 31. So, I have to search that all out & add it up, calculate tax & tip, then pass it along to everyone else to do the same. And honestly, I wouldn't know what my share is if I didn't do that because who really looks at drink prices when ordering? And then instead of it saying "Tom Collins" on line 17, it says "cocktail", so I don't know if that's mine or someone else's. It's around this time everyone says "screw it, we'll split it evenly and the designated drivers won't pay"

 

[Skip2MyLou]

But the survey is flawed. It combines "separate checks" and "chip in what you owe" as one response. There is a big difference between the two. I do the latter but never the former. So I abstained from answering the survey.

What is the difference? Either you pay what your are responsible for & only what you are responsible for (either by chiping in what you owe or asking for a separate check). Or you split the bill evenly, either overpaying or underpaying.

There is an "other" option, only because people complain when there isn't.

I don't understand what is so difficult to comprehend about this thread.And I can't believe its almost 40 pages

 

[Bob NC]

Did you take offence to my post?

I don't care how anyone does it nor would I want to change the way they do it. I was curious about it and asked a few questions.

No, not at all, I hope you didn't take it that way.

I was just responding to the folks who ONLY get one check and can't even imagine anything else, or, that anything else is even possible. When others explained how separate checks work they said even the mere thought of it would be confusing and uncomfortable to their tablemates.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What is the difference? Either you pay what your are responsible for & only what you are responsible for (either by chiping in what you owe or asking for a separate check). Or you split the bill evenly, either overpaying or underpaying.

I think what PP was saying is that those could have been two separate lines on the poll since there are many who get separate checks and many who pay what they owe, but do not get separate checks. Moneywise, yes it's the same or at least should be. But, definitely a different way of getting a check.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Well, in the example you gave, some people were using cash and some cards, so that's why I included that in my scenario. I've certainly seen that happen as well.

TP

 

[Bob NC]

Anyone ever try the Dine & Dash?

Just run out before they bring you the check?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Anyone ever try the Dine & Dash?

Just run out before they bring you the check?

No, but I've seen the waitress searching for someone who tried to stick the bar with a $200 tab before - not so close friend of mine as it turned out. It was years back, but I believe the situation was he offered to pay for everyone & bailed before the bill came, and then the rest of the table covered it.

 

[mjkacmom]

No, not at all, I hope you didn't take it that way.

I was just responding to the folks who ONLY get one check and can't even imagine anything else, or, that anything else is even possible. When others explained how separate checks work they said even the mere thought of it would be confusing and uncomfortable to their tablemates.

You do realize some are being just as judgemental, either doubting how things are done here, or being critcal of NOT splitting the check. Yes, the mere thought of asking to split a check WOULD be uncomfortable - I think cornflake explained it the best.

Different areas of the country, of the world, have their own cultures, their own customs, their own norms. I think the fact that some people in other areas claim that they are usually asked if they want separate checks by the server shows how different things can be, since I've never been offered that option (I'm not saying they won't, but it's not so common that you'd be asked ahead of time).

Here, I would guess that most of the people requesting separate checks would be teens and seniors.

 

[crazyme5kids]

When I go out with a group of friends we just split the bill evenly. The only exception to the rule is if we have a few people that like to have more than one or two drinks, or if two of us want a bottle of wine and no one else wants any. In those circumstances the bar bill is separate.

If I go out with one or two friends, then we split the bill evenly, or one of us will just pick up the whole tab.

 

[gina2000]

The one thing I wanted to mention is that in this area (NY metro) I've never been asked at the beginning of a meal if separate checks were wanted. That's why I know it's generally not done here. And that's what surprises me about this situation. In most parts of the US, it appears that it's the norm. Sit down and the waitstaff ask if you want separate checks. I truly don't know why it's not asked here but I imagine it's because most tables don't request it. If it was a regular request, I'm certain the waitstaff would be asking when approaching a new table.

I did start asking around. My sister mentioned the fact that if she is dining with others on expense accounts, separate checks might be requested because of corporate rules. She also thinks that younger people generally don't carry cash and use credit cards in every possible transaction. That may be why the results overwhelmingly favor one type of transaction. I also think it's regional.

I go with the flow. If you want a separate check, fine by me. If we split the tab, fine. I'm not a big fan of one tab with everyone counting their share and adding tax and tip. That to me is very time consuming and a miscalculation waiting to happen. I want an easy ending to a pleasant meal. And I certainly don't want a squabble over how much people think they don't owe.

 

[Bob NC]

You do realize some are being just as judgemental, either doubting how things are done here, or being critcal of NOT splitting the check. Yes, the mere thought of asking to split a check WOULD be uncomfortable - I think cornflake explained it the best.

You do realize that that really isn't the point here?

It has nothing to do with who is critical of which way a check is paid.

The major debate seems to be that some believe there are many acceptable ways to pay a check. SOME believe there is ONLY ONE acceptable way to pay a check, their way, and any other way is cheap, tacky, and to be looked down upon.

It's not HOW things are done, it's that the 16% believe their way is the ONLY PROPER WAY.

 

[handinpocket]

You do realize that that really isn't the point here?

It has nothing to do with who is critical of which way a check is paid.

The major debate seems to be that some believe there are many acceptable ways to pay a check. SOME believe there is ONLY ONE acceptable way to pay a check, their way, and any other way is cheap, tacky, and to be looked down upon.

It's not HOW things are done, it's that the 16% believe their way is the ONLY PROPER WAY.

Exactly. Hollering to the top of the walls that everyone has half million dollar homes and up and would never THINK to condescend to have separate checks.....is, well, tacky in itself.

Then to add insult to injury and saying the 73% of us that does that is expecting the "poor shmuck" (funny, I don't think of my servers that way) to go out of his way, is just beyond insulting.

 

[Bob NC]

With us sometimes me or someone else will pick up the entire check.

Sometimes I'll pay and collect some from the other couples.

Sometimes we have separate checks.

I find all these acceptable ways to pay.

If you told me that in your neck of the woods the way you pay dinner checks is to have all the couples produce hot rocks and give them to the restaurant owner I would have 2 choices of what I think of that. One would be, "Oh, ok I never heard of that but if it works, it works." The other would be, "Oh, I never heard of that but it sounds weird, cheap and you must be anal. I can't imagine the waiter not rolling his eyes at you. If I suggested that to my circle they would think I was crazy."

 

[Pigeon]

The one thing I wanted to mention is that in this area (NY metro) I've never been asked at the beginning of a meal if separate checks were wanted. That's why I know it's generally not done here. And that's what surprises me about this situation. In most parts of the US, it appears that it's the norm. Sit down and the waitstaff ask if you want separate checks. I truly don't know why it's not asked here but I imagine it's because most tables don't request it. If it was a regular request, I'm certain the waitstaff would be asking when approaching a new table.

I did start asking around. My sister mentioned the fact that if she is dining with others on expense accounts, separate checks might be requested because of corporate rules. She also thinks that younger people generally don't carry cash and use credit cards in every possible transaction. That may be why the results overwhelmingly favor one type of transaction. I also think it's regional.

I go with the flow. If you want a separate check, fine by me. If we split the tab, fine. I'm not a big fan of one tab with everyone counting their share and adding tax and tip. That to me is very time consuming and a miscalculation waiting to happen. I want an easy ending to a pleasant meal. And I certainly don't want a squabble over how much people think they don't owe.

I'm also in NY, but not the metro area. I have never had a waiter ask if we would like separate checks. I have been in groups where someone asked if this was possible, and more often than not, it isn't.

 

[gwynne]

I'm also in NY, but not the metro area. I have never had a waiter ask if we would like separate checks. I have been in groups where someone asked if this was possible, and more often than not, it isn't.

We just say we'd like separate checks, and then go on with our order. We don't ask permission.
Sort of like I often just say "I'd like the dressing on the side" , rather than, "Is it OK if I request dressing on the side"?
FWIW, I've never been refused. They don't seem to be judgy about this. I also figure the tips must be better this way. Otherwise, why would so many restaurants automatically add 18% for groups of 6 or more? If servers were getting nice tips without the force, there wouldn't be any need.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm not a big fan of one tab with everyone counting their share and adding tax and tip. That to me is very time consuming and a miscalculation waiting to happen. I want an easy ending to a pleasant meal. And I certainly don't want a squabble over how much people think they don't owe.

I think if you're doing 1 check, 1 person needs to take charge of it & either pay it or tell everyone, "this is the cut". The passing it around thing has been a fiasco for me in the past.

 

[JessicaR]

No, not at all, I hope you didn't take it that way.

I was just responding to the folks who ONLY get one check and can't even imagine anything else, or, that anything else is even possible. When others explained how separate checks work they said even the mere thought of it would be confusing and uncomfortable to their tablemates.

I wasn't sure - that's why I asked. Thanks!

 

[Hannathy]

I think if you're doing 1 check, 1 person needs to take charge of it & either pay it or tell everyone, "this is the cut". The passing it around thing has been a fiasco for me in the past.

You guys need to hang around with more engineering and science geeks then! In 30 yrs of doing this, it has never been a problem, everyone usually already knows in their head what their total is before they even see the bill.

 

[sam_gordon]

It's not HOW things are done, it's that the 16% believe their way is the ONLY PROPER WAY.

In their defense, I don't think ALL of those who voted for the single check think their's is the only proper way. Granted, some have said as much in this thread, but I don't think ALL of them do.

This is also an attempt to break back into the top 5.

 

[mebbradley]

We're a young couple who goes out at least once a week with either one of our parents or other young airmen who are our friends.

If we're with our parents, 9 out of 10 times she pays unless we yank the check from her.

With our friends, we either take turns paying for the whole thing [we're doing this next monday night, it's the one couple's turn to pay] or we get separate checks.