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Splitting checks debate

captain's profile picture

Posted by captain

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When out eating with friends (or friends of friends, coworkers, etc...), what tends to happen when the check arrives in your group?


I'm used to paying on my card and getting my Sapphire Reserve points, and just requesting people Venmo me however much the check is divided by (asking for less from people who didn't order alcohol). If I'm visiting friends abroad where Venmo isn't a thing, they usually have cash they can throw my way. This way the server doesn't have to worry about swiping a bunch of different cards.


A while back, I was eating out with a group of 20-somethings, and they all insisted on getting personal checks with exactly what they ordered on each bill. So essentially, the server had to figure out who ordered what, and split the group bill 7 different ways. When I insisted on just putting everything on my card, people got upset. 


Am I in the wrong for suggesting this for simplicity's sake? How do you guys handle the bill at the end of a large group dinner?


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Miraxe's profile picture

Reply by Miraxe

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I prefer paying on a single card and handling the split within the group as well. Once your group is over 5 people, it's almost always going to be a mess if you surprise the server with a request to split the bill. It's especially annoying if you ordered bottles or shared appetizers. If you're planning on splitting checks in a large group, make that clear before you start ordering. 

I think it's also a good idea to let the group know what's going on so everyone is on the same page. I don't even drink, so it's extra annoying when I see someone making a
scene over, "Oh, but I didn't eat any of that so I should pay less!" It just makes such a big mess over like $20, and if that's going to make or break your night out, sit your ass at home instead. 


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Hazashami's profile picture

Reply by Hazashami

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im fully onboard with 1 person pays and the group handles splitting after. that frees the waitstaff up. if it's a big enough group gratuity should be pre-set for the table anyway - that 20-something group didn't know what they were doing and who knows when they'll figure it out.

if anything, the only thing i'd want there to be a discussion over is who gets to use their fancy ass card and get points for their flight to europe or whatever

oh. and if people are ordering something expensive then that should be politely discussed and settled before the order is in. i think that's normal


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Miraxe's profile picture

Reply by Miraxe

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>if anything, the only thing i'd want there to be a discussion over is
who gets to use their fancy ass card and get points for their flight to
europe or whatever

LOL we literally had a ladies' night that devolved into everyone selling the rest of the table on their credit card over this. That'd be a fun intentional activity. With my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, I enjoy 7x Hilton Honors points on dining, which can be used on hotels AND on Amazon.


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