How should a restaurant / bar check be split among friends?

We always either paid approx. what we ate as individuals or one person paid the whole tab. If nothing was said about it or nobody said something like, "its on me", then the general assumption was that we paid our own way. If someone ordered large appetizers and didn't ask first if anyone wanted to split the cost, then it was the person ordering its expense. Of course, friends will often insist on paying some if they ate some but that shouldn't be expected.

Friends should have an understanding going into restaurant, or if they are unhappy with previous outings - they should establish a protocol. Fortunately we have a good set of friends. With some, we routinely ask for separate checks. With others, we just split the check since it would typically be about even anyway. With one couple who could have been a problem (he drinks a lot and usually orders appetizers and expensive selections for himself), he is also good about voluntarily putting more money on the table when the bill comes. Sadly, we do have one person (a relative of course) who likes the equally split check even though he drinks and eats a lot. So many of us just avoid many outings with him, and when it happens we just grin and bear it. There are always some people out there who want to take advantage - you just need to change such behaviors or tolerate them.

I know this is complicated but try this: Multiply the fraction of the bill owed by each person by an index of the Annual income of each person. For example if A makes 50K and B makes 25K then A pays twice as much as B, assuming they both ate about the same amount. This will lessen the financial burden for B and equalize the financial pain incurred by the meal. In a similar way, the fattest people, (who invariably will eat more) should pay more than those who don't eat as much. Thus guys should pay more than the women and the fat women should pay more than the skinny women. For example if A weighs 300 pounds and B weighs 100 pounds then A should pay three times the share of B, who generally picks at her food and leaves half of it on the plate. In this way economic justice is served. Of course this does not account for historic injustice to previous generations.

On second thought try to sort out who ordered what and approximate how much each person's meal actually cost. Put it all on one person's credit card then pay cash and coin to the person covering the tab. Tip 15% if they aren't adding a service charge on the bill.

On third thought, it's unfair to expect anyone to do complicated mathematical calculations after they've been liquored up and stuffed themselves.

On fourth thought. Be sure to bring your accountant as one of the guests.

It is good to get separate checks and to state clearly if you are treating someone for their birthday or not.

- I used to go out with a friend who would order expensive things and wanted to divide the bill which really p*ssed me off.

I went out with a group of friends once and it was one ladys birthday. Since it was her birthday she was expecting her meal to be paid for - I didn't have much money at the time and paid for my share only - I noticed at the end that we didn't have enough money and was too embarassed to say anything at the time and walked out of the restaurant really fast.

When the server takes your first drink order, ask for separate checks to avoid the awkwardness of the tab. This can apply to a bar or an eatery.

Anyone who is going to consume the item, needs to chip and pay their fair share. It needs to be split evenly including the tip and tax. You could also ask for separate checks.

Divided equally. If someone orders something and offers to share, they should pay for it, unless otherwise agreed upon.

try and get seperate checks next time but, just do it off what you drunk and split food even,people often may eat others food but no one i hope drinks after someone! Hope this Helps

i think its terribly crass to sit and work out who ate what and how much it cost

i would just divide the bill by how many people were there

it makes me cringe to think of people sitting counting out coins to pay for their share

I think the simplest is to ask for separate checks.