Splitting a Restaurant Bill
- Thread starter Magister
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If you want to really, really piss off a server, enter a restaurant in a large group, order a bunch of differrent stuff then have a 10 minute discussion about who owes what for which item. People who do that often tip poorly as well so your server might just begin to roll their eyes and groan at you.
I would say take turns paying or split the bill evenly among the people who are there. Or, if someone ran up a inordinate percentage of it by buying 18 yr old scotch or whatever they should pony up with a larger amount and tip well.
I would say take turns paying or split the bill evenly among the people who are there. Or, if someone ran up a inordinate percentage of it by buying 18 yr old scotch or whatever they should pony up with a larger amount and tip well.
Ditto that.
It depends on the situation. I get together with a bunch of guys every 2 months or so. We go to the same restaurant every time (Earl's at SQ1). The rule is you order whatever you like, we take turns picking up the bill. There's never been an issue in years. These guys are like brothers.
If it's a less of a regular thing just split the bill evenly. 5 or 10 bucks one way or the other isn't going to matter in the grand scheme of life. (But if one guy orders the 18 year old scotch, then yeah, pony up.)
On the other hand, I do have some friends (interestingly both female teachers) who are a NIGHTMARE to go to dinner with. One gets all flustered when the bill comes and starts trying to figure out what she and hubby ordered, however, she can't add to save her life and the concept of tax seems to elude her so you have to be abrupt with her. The other female teacher is a born mooch and there have been times in the past where I have said, "I'll get this one and you get the next one", however the next one might be a year later by which time she's conveniently forgotten about the last time and hopes that I'll repeat. I've learned my lesson there and now it's 50/50. Since she's a drinker and I'm not, it's still a good deal for her.)
One other rule, if you're a group of 6 and one person orders just a drink, or maybe just a salad and a pop, then that person can throw in what they think they ordered and the other 5 split from there. (Say the other 5 are having a big dinner each at 80 or 100 buck a head and the one person had a drink....)
Ask for separate bills. All modern restaurant billing systems can handle that. Its never a problem.
if its a large group...unless if every agrees to just pay the same equally...then get separate bill.
small grps...i would take it on a case by case scenario because it really depends on who you're with.
small grps...i would take it on a case by case scenario because it really depends on who you're with.
If it is fairly casual and relatively small tab, I just pick up the check. It is just easier that way. If the other person is a close friend, they will beat me to it as often as not. We don't count pennies between friends.
If it is a big tab (say, boys night out at Morton's) we split the check evenly. Nobody worries about who ordered what.
On the occasions where we have invited "newbie's" along and they objected to this policy, we usually just take up the slack and know better to invite that person again. If you can't run with the big dogs, stay your ass on the porch...
If it is a big tab (say, boys night out at Morton's) we split the check evenly. Nobody worries about who ordered what.
On the occasions where we have invited "newbie's" along and they objected to this policy, we usually just take up the slack and know better to invite that person again. If you can't run with the big dogs, stay your ass on the porch...
Wow...I would have never....gee, thanks.
And yes, have made a few visits since I got back in town (here and Morton`s).
Insofar as an explanation for my return...
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Always ask for separate bills. The servers like it becasue its easier to check for completeness, plus, they always get a bigger total tip from five small bills than one large.
If you have e.g a bunch of family staying with you for a spell, make it clear beforehand that they should not offer to pay you anything for groceries and other in-things. If you all go out, its every man for himself. No-one should offer such things as, "tonight, its my treat", becasue the others then feel they have to do the same. Don't do the above if you see small financial arrangements as a way of bonding, or to gain an obligation over someone.
If you have e.g a bunch of family staying with you for a spell, make it clear beforehand that they should not offer to pay you anything for groceries and other in-things. If you all go out, its every man for himself. No-one should offer such things as, "tonight, its my treat", becasue the others then feel they have to do the same. Don't do the above if you see small financial arrangements as a way of bonding, or to gain an obligation over someone.
Oh, we may have had our battles from time to time, but I do and always did respect your intellect. (Even when you were wrog - ha, kidding - the new smily faces suck)
Seriously though, the last time I saw you in these parts was when Don Q passed (another guy I may have battled with (less than you though (ha)) but also respected his intellect.)
Now if only Lancs would show up.....
exactly.
If it is a regular bunch then fine, it usually works out but what pisses me off is when you go with say one or two, and when it's their turn, you're eating at a burger joint then when they annouce it's YOUR turn, it is after you've had a relatively expensive meal at a sit down restaurant and they've ordered a couple of drinks (which can equate to the cost of an entree in some places).
I have NEVER split a bill and had it come out right. Everyone to a one has shorted either the tip or the tax and sometimes both. Wait, one time I went out with some neighbours and on a bill of $120.00 we had enough for a $50.00 tip. I said leave it but since I had 2 cokes and a $4.00 appetizer and gave $30.00 they gave me some back.
Even good people lose their fricken heads when it's a group meal. I ALWAYS give double what I owe just so there's some left for a tip. (since I don't drink or eat meat my tab is usually $10 - 15.00 max). I hate people who go in, sit down, order a johnny walker, an appetizer, a salad, an expensive main course and a desert then drop $20.00 on the table.
There was this one time in Puerto Vallarta where I met 3 groups at various times over the week. So it just so happened that we all got together on the friday night. (there was about 14???). We went to this great place overlooking the bay and everyone was ordering tequila, apps, deserts etc. So I asked the matre'd (what's the bill?) He said $400.00 pesos. 400 ??? oh wait, that's 6 to 1 to US so I picked up the tab. Everyone was all blown away and said "you're so great" and I got lots of smooches from the girls....lol....One of the guy came up to me, how much WAS the bill anyways? I said "lol 70 bucks and I left a 30 buck tip lol"
This has always worked for me.
I have a pet peeve about this though. I am a pretty good tipper and I have had someone at the table take out a calculator and not leave any more for a tip because I had already left enough in their eyes. So I always make sure now I wait to see what everyone else leaves and add mine and top it up good for my wait staff. especially in a large group or when they have done a bang up job serving us.
All depends on who you are with. One guy picking up the tab is income and restaurant-dependent, as well as dependent on the regularity of the dinner with that crowd. If everyone is more or less on even footing income-wise and meal-wise, then splitting the bill evenly makes most sense. It only takes one whiner to turn it into a painful experience though.
Out for drinks, friends and I rotate picking up the tab.
In a group at a restaurant with friends, we split evenly, no matter what. It works out.
At work, I watch carefully when we're splitting. (ie not on expense account.) At past companies, we've split the bill evenly including tip, collected the money, and found to be short by a person or two. The person or two didn't put any money in, just passed money along from down the table. (And these were well-paid, white collar types. Fucking scum.) My current company and team is great - no issues. But I still keep an eye on it. Nothing to sour the mood like this kind of thing to happen.
In a group at a restaurant with friends, we split evenly, no matter what. It works out.
At work, I watch carefully when we're splitting. (ie not on expense account.) At past companies, we've split the bill evenly including tip, collected the money, and found to be short by a person or two. The person or two didn't put any money in, just passed money along from down the table. (And these were well-paid, white collar types. Fucking scum.) My current company and team is great - no issues. But I still keep an eye on it. Nothing to sour the mood like this kind of thing to happen.
Co-workers out for lunch, drinks, dinner: always on separate bills. I have learned my lesson(s) with cheapskates on tips or folks who didn't pay for their share. I'm talking about educated well-paid IT professionals. I even have an argument with one and refused to ever go out with him. We never talked for the rest of our stay in that company (who ares to make an enemy with such jerk).
Close friends: split the bills evenly.
Not so close friends: paid for what we ordered.
Close friends: split the bills evenly.
Not so close friends: paid for what we ordered.
So your posts about Morton's got me intrigued to take a look. Is it better than the Keg? I would think its roughly the same cost if you were to order a full course meal at both locations, though i could be wrong.
Seperate checks all the way. I've had so much trouble inthe past of being stuck with the bill because "You make good money and can afford it". If I invite you out for dinner I will pick up the tab but if it is a mutual thing then no. Here is why.
I played in a friday night hockey league and we would go for beers and wings after. Me and another buddy were the only married guy and we had kids, so we would always hang back till the end extending our time away for the family( I know not nice but I was married with kids by 23). Anyways as guys left they would drop what they owed and we would pay when we left. It was always a little light but not bad. Half way thought the year my buddy and I are now paying $100 each for 2 beers and wings (this was 20 years ago). I tell the guy next week either drop what you owe with tax and tip or order on your own bill. End up really short this time, buddies cousins weren't putting in anything.The waitress (had the same one each time) came up with the solution. She tells us to leave first. I told her that I would straighten up with her the next day. Next week we leave early but leave enough to cover our cost + tax + tip.Go to see her the next day and she says that she wished she had a camera. They were scrambling to find enough money, talked about leaving with paying, they were yelling at each other, tried to phone my buddy a home, they ended up leaving her about a $5 tip. I tried to give her more but she wouldn't take it. Only 6 guys went for beer and wings next week. I am still friends with one of these guys and I swear he waits to see if i ask for seperate checks to this day before he orders. It is actually quite fuuny to watch.
I hate cheap people who take advantage of other geneousity.
I played in a friday night hockey league and we would go for beers and wings after. Me and another buddy were the only married guy and we had kids, so we would always hang back till the end extending our time away for the family( I know not nice but I was married with kids by 23). Anyways as guys left they would drop what they owed and we would pay when we left. It was always a little light but not bad. Half way thought the year my buddy and I are now paying $100 each for 2 beers and wings (this was 20 years ago). I tell the guy next week either drop what you owe with tax and tip or order on your own bill. End up really short this time, buddies cousins weren't putting in anything.The waitress (had the same one each time) came up with the solution. She tells us to leave first. I told her that I would straighten up with her the next day. Next week we leave early but leave enough to cover our cost + tax + tip.Go to see her the next day and she says that she wished she had a camera. They were scrambling to find enough money, talked about leaving with paying, they were yelling at each other, tried to phone my buddy a home, they ended up leaving her about a $5 tip. I tried to give her more but she wouldn't take it. Only 6 guys went for beer and wings next week. I am still friends with one of these guys and I swear he waits to see if i ask for seperate checks to this day before he orders. It is actually quite fuuny to watch.
I hate cheap people who take advantage of other geneousity.
I've never been to Morton's, however, I do not believe there is any comparison to the Keg. Keg is OK and all - Good Solid food middle of the road food, but it's not great.
Morton's is a high end steak house. I would imagine you can expect to pay at least $100 a person and that's with maybe a glass of wine. Add in the booze and a higher end cut of steak and you're easily at $200.00 a head at Morton's. (Even the Keg will run you $60 to $70 a head for appetizer, main, dessert - no booze)
I was at La Castile in Mississauga recently (another Old School Steak House) and it was $200 for 2 of us.
If I'm gonna drop a big buck on a restaurant, I'll pick somewhere like Colborne Lane any day any time (2 people = $400.00)
