Advice on splitting checks in restaurants..............

[cypressgirl]

I'm feeling so much better. NOT

I'm just going to tell them to take lots of cash and an ATM card.

[Xislandgirl]

Don't let it bother you. Just sit down and talk to them about it. You will all figure it out.

[IA Joe]

I travel with the same group regularly, and the best way we found is everyone throws in the same amount of money at the beginning of the trip, say $200, and one person is responsible for the money. He pays the bills. If the money runs out, everyone ponies up some more; if there is money left over, it gets split back evenly.

In our case nobody abuses the system by overbuying regularly, but we are a pretty easygoing group, so nobody would really complain if things didn't exactly work out in their favor.

I agree with the others; I could not stand it if someone were overly concerned about exact payment from everyone. I would still be friends, but I would not be travelling with them.

I was in the service with a guy who would only take turns buying rounds if he could get the last one (ie if 3 people were out, he would only buy the 3rd round, 6th round, etc.) He said that would not be fair to him if we did not go around the group an exact number of times. Needless to say the rest of us did rounds while he bought his own.

He probably came out money ahead in the long run, but he was so anal about it that he also came out with less friends.

Life is to short to get hung up on that kind of stuff.

Joe

[iowaguy]

We use Mark's method with our group of 5 couples---we split all expenses equally, regardless of who orders what. We take turns picking up the tab then even it out at the end of the trip. Its very "un-guylike" to figure out who ordered what and divide the check. I like this method because I feel like I'm on the all-inclusive plan. You just order whatever you want and get a bill at the end of the trip. This type of flawed reasoning also explains why I don't have more money.

[cypressgirl]

Iowaguy, you are too funny. Unfortunately I think all these women are the "I'm only going to pay for what I ordered" type. What's even funnier is that they all live in huge homes, drive Hummers and BMW's, and Mercedes. Maybe that's why they can afford that stuff.....they're cheap.

They really are loads of fun and I'm sure I'm making more of this than I should. I know it will all work out and we will have a wonderful time.

Thanks again for the advice, but the split it evenly thing will never work for this group of gals.

[waterguy]

Painkillers have away of opening wallets just get them drunk

[Jumbiegirl]

I suggest taking turns paying the entire bill. You can figure it all out on paper later and settle up with each other at home.

[augie]

Just tell the light eater/drinker that she'd better step up her game if she wants to get her money's worth!

Seriously, when you have your pre-trip meeting, and you get to this subject, lay the facts on the line:

Seperate checks will likely be impossible in some places, and may put you on the bad side of the service staff where they are possible.

"We can either all take turns paying and don't worry about the difference, all bring enough cash to chip in at the end of each meal, or someone will have to play accountant and keep track of who bought what, and who paid how much."

Personally, if I find myself with folks that can't add their charges correctly ("let's see, my sandwich was $9.99 and I had an iced tea that was $1.49, that's nine plus one, plus one for tax and tip) or want to tip 5% because their glass sat empty for two minutes, I discreetly make up the difference then find a way not to eat/drink with them again!

[Jerseyboy]

When we went to Mexico with 2 other couples, we took turns paying for dinner each night (i.e. one check not separate). One benefit in doing this is that each gets to acquire points on their own credit card. I had everyone give me their receipts (or the check total incl. gratuity) and each dinner was divided equally. When I got home, I made an Excel spreadsheet to tally everything up to see who owed more/less. If a couple owed more they sent a check in the mail. It worked out well because we all get along, all drank and ate the same and no one was uptight.

[Nic in KC]

Last time we went we took turns paying with the person who hardly ever drank anything picking up a meal when it was on the cheaper side so she didn't get stuck with our liquor bills.

However, I have a few friends who are extremely tight and when I travel with them this is what we do....

Get the bill....figure out who owes what, including tax and tip, then get out our cards, write our names on the back of the bill, next to each name write the total we want added onto each card. I make sure that the total of it all gives a decent tip. The waitress has to enter an amount and run each card, but at least they don't have to split the bill up for us. This has worked everywhere we've ever been and no one goes away mad. Now, that doesn't mean I haven't occasionally had to add more because I don't agree with the tip, but it works and isn't that complicated!

I much prefer traveling with a group that knows it almost always evens out in the end!!

[cypressgirl]

Nic, that is exactly what my villa rep suggested doing. She said they do it all the time and it works well for them.

Great idea. Thanks!

[hardonyou]

I have to say the taking turns route really is best. My family owned restaurants growing up and splitting checks, even if you ask before hand is really not fun. First of all, if you are paying by credit card, you have to realize that the business you are purchasing from has to pay for each of those transactions; secondly it has been my experience that people who split checks split their tip as well and generally tip less; lastly it just lends itself to error, which could be frustrating for you,(I know, I know error is not your fault). I think this falls into that category of things that seem harmless and no big deal in their concept but if you're the one who works with it everyday you see how difficult it really is. Also, since you are planning this out in such detail would it be such a big deal to decide whose turn it is to buy the meal?

[cypressgirl]

The only problem is that there is going to be one out of the 4 of us that is consistantly going to have a bill that is half of everyone elses. She drinks very little and if she does it's a beer or two. I don't blame her for not wanting to pay for someone's Crown Royal or bottle of nice wine.

I'm willing to tip over and beyond if they will charge each card seperately.

[pswlrw]

Here's my 2 cents worth. Since you are going to discuss this with your fellow travelers, I think the suggestion that the non-drinking eating friend pick up on less tab is a great one. Makes life easier for everyone.

With our group of 9, everyone threw in cash for our dinners out and we just split it evenly, even though 4 people in our group did not drink - they often ordered appetizers, desserts and virgin cocktails and they never complained about any discrepancy. For 4 different lunches, one of our group just picked up the tab for everyone - just as a nice gesture. Wow, I have great friends Oh, and one night two people had full meals while the rest of us had "small dinners" and they insisted on paying more.

[pswlrw]

Okay - I just thought of something else! If it wouldn't make her feel "singled out", how about 1 check for the non-drinking gal and one check for the rest of you? I think most establishments would be a little more willing to deal with 2 checks than 4!