Separate checks ?? - Page 10

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@Kitty Galore . I would say that 99% of the time when we go out with other people we tend to split the check equally no matter if someone might have ordered something more expensive than someone else.

However I think that some people might feel that it is unfair if someone only wants a bowl of soup or small salad while another person might get several courses and an alcoholic drink which adds a lot to the price. In that case I can see getting separate checks.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@Kitty Galore wrote:
@Effie54 wrote:
While it's nice to have separate checks.....we never ask for that. It appears cheap. Unless the wait staff automatically give separate checks, we just split the bill.
@Effie54 Actually that is how we both feel , it appears cheap also it appears as if we aren't very good friends . The 3 of us don't drink only him, so it isn't that. Maybe it's just we don't care what others are ordering we enjoy dinning out with friends and family we split the check with everyone else we dine with even amounts to each couple . We do not go over the bill and itemize what a each person ate, that's crazy !

@Kitty Galore We do the same. We never itemize a bill either.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@Carmie wrote:
With us it depends on who we are dining with. Sometimes we split the check evenly, sometimes we get separate checks. And sometimes we alternate paying the whole check for everyone.

Everyone has their way that is most comfortable for them. Personally I don't care, thankfully, money isn't a concern for us, anymore.

My husband has a friend and wife who never allowed us to pay for anything. He is very generous. But, this makes us uncomfortable.

We once went on a 10 day vacation with them to Cape Cod and Bar Harbor, Maine. I suggested, each couple place $1000 cash into a purse and use that for food. It worked out well. Everyone ordered what they wanted to and their was no fighting over the check. I paid for the food and tip from the purse.

There was money left over after we came home, so the other lady and I took half each. It was the perfect way to handle going out to eat with friends...no fighting and we all felt it was fair.

Some people take advantage of others when splitting the check 50/50 which as lead to hard feelings, so they now ask for separate checks each and every time with everyone. I can understand that and would not take offense.

@Carmie My brother in law does this as well. He insists on paying for everyones' meal every time we go out! While it's very nice & generous of him, it also makes me a bit uncomfortable.

He's very wealthy and has his own business now since he "retired" from a major corporation. He claims it's a business "write-off" when we go out to eat.

Kitty Galore · ‎03-16-2010

@sunshine45 wrote:
@Biftu wrote:
Wow, I see I am in the minority here. I didn't realize separate checks was that popular. Never have we done this, whether it be with other couples or I go out with friends. We do not eat out that often and when we do we either pay, or the other couple pays. Just glad to have their company and I don't care what they order.

@Biftu

i dont count or care either. i think if it did i would not go out at all with anyone. if a FRIEND of mine wants i dessert and i dont, i dont care. if they want to order a meal that is more expensive that night, i dont care. if someone wants a nice glass of wine, i dont care.

also, when we go out with our kids, we always pick up the check. they can order whatever is on the menu.

@sunshine45 I feel the same . We always pick up the bill for our children and our parents . Now I will say my dad try's to grab that bill before we get it , sometimes he wins lol !!!

Kitty Galore · ‎03-16-2010

@Zoe wrote:
@Kitty Galore Hospitality household here...Telling the server upfront was actually very kind of this gentleman. It allows the server to set up the tabs in the system from the start instead of weeding through a larger check and then splitting it off (hoping they caught everything and got the right items to the right check) -- and splitting a table once it's been in the system may require a manager's approval, depending upon price-point & restaurant procedures.

As others have pointed out, it's not an uncommon practice to split a check. Nothing to take offense to or feel hurt by. Different people have different financial comfort levels. And coming from a family who makes a really big deal out of "fighting" over the check when it's presented (*eye roll*), avoiding that show very much appreciated.

@Zoe @I do get the fighting over the check actually . It happens often with my dad.

nyc1 · ‎03-19-2010

@sunshine45 wrote:
i never ask for separate checks.

i noticed a sign at a restaurant at the delaware beaches. it stated "no separate checks, 3 credit card maximum per table." i am sure it is a pain for them to have to create 12 separate checks, for example, and keep track if you have a big table.

we either take care of the bill if we have invited someone OR split the bill evenly. i always prefer to leave a cash tip also.

@sunshine45 We do the same.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@SoCal Bred wrote:
My girlfriends and I go out to lunch every 3-4 months to celebrate our birthdays, the birthday girl gets to choose the restaurant of their choice, granted we are all retirees, two of us are married the other two are single ladies. We always pick a place that is reasonable and within everyone's budget, when the bill comes it is split between all with the exception of the birthday girl.

@SoCal Bred We do the same thing with my "birthday club"!

Kitty Galore · ‎03-16-2010

@nyc1 wrote:
@sunshine45 wrote:
i never ask for separate checks.

i noticed a sign at a restaurant at the delaware beaches. it stated "no separate checks, 3 credit card maximum per table." i am sure it is a pain for them to have to create 12 separate checks, for example, and keep track if you have a big table.

we either take care of the bill if we have invited someone OR split the bill evenly. i always prefer to leave a cash tip also.
@sunshine45 We do the same.

I can't imagine having to do 12 seperate checks or even 5 . I waitresses when in college and I just hated that it's a real pita!

50Mickey · ‎05-21-2010

I don't get that requesting separate checks "appears cheap." What appears cheap to me is that it is usually the ones that order the most expensive entrees and multiple drinks that say to the server oh just split the total bill between all of us. What happens in the situation when there might be 2 couples and 1 individual at the table? Would she or he pay as much as the other two couples? I have never had a server object to separate checks if requested in advance. It makes paying the check easier and no one feels taken advantage of.

When I go out to dinner or lunch I like to order what I want. if I thought we were splitting the entire check equally I might be tempted to order something inexpensive and not have that second glass of wine for fear that the others wold resent my "running up the tab."

cindyNC · ‎08-01-2019

Oh my goodness. This thread brought back memories of my former motherinlaw. She told me how a group of 6 of them always went out to dinner and one woman always ordered last, and the most expensive item on the menu. They split the check equally.

The other couples got tired of it, so one night they told the other lady to order first. Then the rest of them all ordered the same thing she did.