Separate checks, split the check, or take turns?
Posted by poodog13@reddit | Xennials | View on Reddit | 177 comments
Trying to figure out if this is a generational thing. When you go out with friends, which are you more likely to do:
- Ask for separate checks
- Split the check (everyone throws down X dollars
- Someone randomly picks up the check (with the expectation that someone else will next time)
Acrobatic-Ad8365@reddit
I never understood why people don't just pay for their own food. I'm not going to pay for someone else's food just to make it easier on the waitress. I have never been a waitress before but I'm curious how difficult it is to have two separate bills for one table.
ONROSREPUS@reddit
For my close friends and I we do #3. For acquaintances I do #1.
Sufficient-Quote-431@reddit
Depends on the friendship. But split the check. Getting separate checks is a definitive line in the sand that you’re either really cheap or not to invest in the friend. By getting one check, it gives you the opportunity to decide if you’re gonna pay it or split it and in those rare cases get treated.
It’s all about how you wanna be seen as a person and what kind of character you have. No one likes a cheap frugal tight wad.
meyers980@reddit
1 or 3
questions6486@reddit
One check. Venmo your portion to the person who paid.
abmbulldogs@reddit
I have always and still do get separate checks.
Trinikas@reddit
In general separate checks. It used to be a thing restaurants hated or refused to do because it had to be done manually. Modern POS systems make it a few button presses.
American_Boy_1776@reddit
I pick up the check to establish dominance
lil_grey_alien@reddit
Art of the deal… Art of the deal…
EverybodyBeCalm@reddit
Ocular pat downs first, of course.
stitchinangel@reddit
Thank you for my new favorite phrase! An ocular pat down, indeed!! 😂
Pinkkorn69@reddit
Depends on the friends, depends on the meal and depends on the reason. There is no answer for across the board answers.
ZeldaHylia@reddit
I am never splitting anything. I pay for mine and that’s it. I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t eat seafood which is more expensive.: my food will always be half of everyone else’s. Nope. Pay your own bills way.
misskellycupcake@reddit
People I see really often we take turns, otherwise split
orangepinata@reddit
It depends, if we are pretty equal on order and economic situation then we can trade opportunities. If not then often we split
Emotional_Bonus_934@reddit
Separate
OG_Cryptkeeper@reddit
We get our own checks.
No debates, no misunderstandings, no hard feelings.
poodog13@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I’m an adult, I can pay for myself and hate “owing” anything to anyone.
Li-RM35M4419@reddit
It’s a gift not a loan.
murph0969@reddit
After 35 all loans are gifts.
marcuslattimore21@reddit
Hahahahhahaha
OG_Cryptkeeper@reddit
I try to eliminate arguments before they happen. I buy what I know I’m willing to pay for.
Spartan04@reddit
Exactly. Everyone can just order whatever they want and not worry about what someone else is ordering.
wuhkay@reddit
Yup. After endless debates about who owes what.... never again.
kateastrophic@reddit
I find separate checks is what causes these debates. Maybe it’s because my friends and I tend to share a lot of things, but splitting the bill evenly makes it way easier. I do try to keep an eye out in case someone orders less— usually in terms of alcohol— and spin off their tab separately or cover their portion of the tip. But this really depends on the style of dining out people prefer.
Sk8-BRDR@reddit
I have a well off friend that always buys dinner when we hang out. I always buy the lunches. It helps not feel like a freeloader and the price difference between a Steak dinner and a deli sandwich is probably similar to the difference in our salaries. At least that’s what i tell myself.
firehawk2324@reddit
My older family did separate checks. My friend group either split or took turns, depending on who was there.
SkyNet_Admin_1@reddit
Dine and dash
GreedyComedian1377@reddit
Im gonna drink a few beers, so I generally take my own check. If I had the means I'd love to pick up everybody's
AsparagusOverall8454@reddit
Unless it’s someone’s birthday, we pay for ourselves.
REO_Speed_Dragon@reddit
Everyone puts their phone face down in the middle of the table. First person to reach for theirs pays the check.
hungrypotato0853@reddit
Separate cheques. Always. Some are single, some have partners, some bring kids, some show up later, some leave early, some drink, etc. Not separating cheques is a bush-league, rookie mistake.
Former_Tadpole_6480@reddit
Separate checks for friends.
My spouse and I keep our money separate, and we handle this a bit differently, and it has solved the "where do you want to go for dinner" cliché debate.
The person who picks the restaurant pays. That's it. We roughly alternate, but not strictly... if one of us wants to go out more than the other, fine, but the person choosing to go out more pays for that. It also gives us the opportunity to decide whether we want to go out someplace nice or to just get something quick and cheap without needing to negotiate.
Rdubya291@reddit
It depends on who we're out with. Mostly it's #3.
Some groups, it's #2, knowing they don't have the money to pick up next time. It's not hating on quite the opposite. I used to just always pick it up, and they'd feel bad. So with that group, we'll split.
Mike__O@reddit
Very situational. I use all three depending on who I'm with
OreoSoupIsBest@reddit
It depends on the friend group. With friends from back home or with family I always pay, but I make a tremendous amount more than they do and it is nice to treat them.
With my main social group it is more of a whoever is the host (ie whoever invited everyone out) picks up the check. We kind of take turns, but nothing official and no one keeps track.
bingbingdingdingding@reddit
Usually number 2 for dining in groups or pairs, but 3 if it’s just me and someone that I regularly go out with. Once you reach a certain level of financial stability number 1 is just unnecessary. That said, if our crew of three couples rolls in somewhere and they say from the get go would you like separate checks we’ll have them do it by the couple.
Letsgogehls@reddit
2…everyone divide it up evenly
crazycatlady331@reddit
Yes the person who orders surf and turf with multiple cocktails pays the same as the person who orders salad and water.
DrMcJedi@reddit
Venmo now. Back then, it was someone dropped a card and everyone else gave you too much cash to cover their part and tip.
Polymox@reddit
It was usually too little in my experience. When I paid the whole bill via cards, the collected cash was basically enough for menu price, and I was stuck with everyone's tax and tip, plus my own stuff.
DrMcJedi@reddit
To be fair, once in a while we’d come up short and then someone’s girlfriend would yell at everyone and it would get sorted…
Polymox@reddit
Teah, but my friends were cheap dirtbags.
crazycatlady331@reddit
My last straw was when it was decided the bill was split evenly. I was a broke college student (under 21) at the time. Everyone but me had multiple cocktails and steaks. I had salad and water.
I had to pay for drinks I could not legally consume.
DrMcJedi@reddit
Haha, mine were all nerds with jobs.
Key_Recover2684@reddit
I am the girlfriend
abbydabbydo@reddit
Hahaha. I’ve seen this exact scene at least 50 times. And it is fir sure always a female partner getting shit done.
crazycatlady331@reddit
Depends on the audience.
9/10, separate checks.
TheTacoInquisition@reddit
If the amounts owed are similar, split it evenly, if not, separate bills.
New_Needleworker_473@reddit
Separate checks please. Lol!
Trick-Property-5807@reddit
Almost never separate checks—it’s not your servers fault you’re bad at math. Usually, we just split things evenly with one person paying directly and folks reimbursing their share.
illini02@reddit
I usually split the check evenly.
BUT, I also have a pretty trustworthy group of friends. Sometimes i pay more than my share, sometimes less, it evens out over time.
That doesn't work if you have mooches or people who like to nickel and dime on everything.
Traditional_Entry183@reddit
On the rare occasions where my wife and I go out with family, we just pay, because we're better off. We probably haven't gone out with friends in 15 years, since before we had kids.
Lcky22@reddit
If it’s me and my partner with people outside our family we get our own check. If it’s me and one other person I pay for them
Unapologetic_Canuck@reddit
I’ve done it various ways, all together, separate cheques, it depends on who you’re with and what you’re getting.
Pretend-Tea86@reddit
It depends, but mostly we just ask for separate checks up front, then make it explicitly clear whose check what goes on if we are sharing. "We'd like an order of crab dip for the table, on our tab."
Over time, it's become clear that's the easiest way to do it, especially since I dont drink but the vast majority of my friends do, and they like high-dollar cocktials. I love them all, but I am not subsidizing their $25 martinis when I'm also (without complaint) driving them to and from the restaurant safely.
Possible-Tangelo9344@reddit
Separate checks. Not all of us are the same state in life with disposable income
CheesyRomantic@reddit
Depends on which friends we are with.
My best friend and I (when it’s us 2) we alternate.
When I worked and we’d go out for lunch or dinner… we’d each pay our own, unless we shared something.
It did happen twice where we split the bill evenly between a large dinner party.
Old-Piece-3438@reddit
It depends on the situation, but as a poor person, I’m not a fan of splitting the check evenly. I have no issue if someone wants to get more expensive items, drinks, appetizers, etc., but I can’t afford to (at least not very often) so I’d probably have to start turning down invitations to go out with them. Whereas, otherwise I would just subtly order cheaper items and still get to have fun while they do as well.
Oaken_beard@reddit
Separate. I’ve been in too many scenarios where we all opt to split, and one person orders multiple appetizers for the table
fingerling-broccoli@reddit
Coworkers meal -> 1
Friends meal -> 2
Family meal -> 3
imnottheoneipromise@reddit
The only “friends” my husband and I go out to eat with is my parents and unless I put my foot down before I agree to go, my daddy is paying lol. I “get even” by cooking them home cooked meals at my house a couple times a week.
christhomasburns@reddit
doesn't matter, but as someone in Hospitality, do not try to involve your server/bartender in the decision. I've got several other tables that all need something and you're trying to get me to solve your personal problems. I don't care! I want to finish this as quickly as possible so that I can take care of the rest of my job, if you can't figure it out amongst yourselves then I'm leaving and coming back when I can, if that makes you late or you have to pay the babysitter another hour, that's on you.
lexluthor_i_am@reddit
Friends that I really like, split checks.
Friends that drink way too much alcohol (I hardly drink ever at dinner, at most a beer a two), or people I don't really know, separate checks.
If I'm with just one friend. Take turns.
jayne-eerie@reddit
My preference is splitting the check but I don’t fight over it or anything.
Fabulous-South-9551@reddit
If it’s me and 1 friend, we usually just throw our cards down and say split it. We don’t do the whole who ordered what thing. Venmo is the other option but I think everyone should be using Zelle now since there’s so fees? And everyone has it on their banking app? Or am I wrong
grilledstuffed@reddit
Going out? In this economy?
I’d rather buy steaks at Costco and throw a dinner party.
RadioWavesHello@reddit
I do lots of favors for people and I never ask for money, and when my friends ask me out they usually pay
Careful-Use-4913@reddit
For the most part we get separate checks, but I do agree with the top comment of “depends on the friends, depends on the meal.”
Mattimvs@reddit
Depends on the friends, depends on the meal
Careful-Use-4913@reddit
Absolutely this.
Da12khawk@reddit
Glad to see this is the top answer.
osddelerious@reddit
Separate
piscian19@reddit
I generally pay when I go out with people. I don't think its a generational thing I just prefer to pick up the tab so as to not make it a thing.
poodog13@reddit (OP)
That’s the problem though, I feel like that makes everyone else uncomfortable.
Bat2121@reddit
Why would a friend doing something nice make you uncomfortable? People who are weird about money make things awkward. Usually we split it evenly but I have no problem paying for my friends meal and I have no problem with them paying for mine. We don't keep track, we don't keep score. Anyone who does has naturally fallen out of my friend groups.
scotttydosentknow@reddit
Separate checks all the time. Only exception is if a friend comes over to help with something then I will pick up the check if we go out afterwards
Felinius@reddit
I ask to pick up the check, every time. I’m also doing much better financially than most of my friends.
TheSwissdictator@reddit
It varies.
If one of us is in a rough spot (financially or having an awful day) we may cover theirs. Sometimes we take turns. Sometimes we split.
CplHicks_LV426@reddit
Separate checks. My friends get out of the house so infrequently that we'd never remember whose turn it was.
Longster_dude@reddit
Even split. Usually on my card. Everyone else Venmo me right then and there.
Geltab_the_wise@reddit
Read that as cheeks, goodnight everyone
redditydothis@reddit
Poor people ask for separate checks. Upper middle income people split the check. Rich people take turns.
LegallyRegarded@reddit
1 or 3. .. 2 ive found often turns into a hassle. depends on the group also.
Queen-Butterfly@reddit
2- this is if I know you and you don’t like to get over on other people
1- if I’ve been burned by people in the group before or I don’t know people
peloquindmidian@reddit
Situationally, I try to pretend I'm going to the restroom and then pay the entire tab while everyone else is having a good time.
I can't always do it, but that's my style when I can.
RobMV03@reddit
My wife pulls this move from time to time when we're out with friends. It still surprises me every time. I think it's a cool way of paying for someone else without having to get into the whole, "No. No. No... You can't pay for the whole thing!" debate. It's especially fun when she doesn't even mention it, and then when someone asks for the check, the waiter says something like, "The young woman took care of it already. Thank you so much." and she gets to do an embarrassed smile.
peloquindmidian@reddit
That's it, exactly. Situationally. I know the people I'm with. If it's going to be like that, I'd rather not do the dance.
I would also rather not be recognized as the person who paid, but that almost never happens.
poodog13@reddit (OP)
That’s infuriating
Quiet_Party_4632@reddit
Few places split checks anymore…they’ll do two or three max. (At least where I’ve been.)
Separate. If not possible, one person pays and everyone Venmo/PP/Cash later.
Just makes everything comfortable for everyone, sets the standards for hangouts. No pressure or hassles when the check comes.
MarandTierra@reddit
If it’s a of party of maybe 6-8 people, some places will split the check if you ask in advance. That way the server is able to punch in each person’s order as a separate ticket by seat, and it makes it easier for them when it’s time to cash out. Asking them to split the bill at the end of the meal is when it makes it hard for the server.
Trixxstrr@reddit
Maybe they have better systems here in Canada but I know lots of times at the end of the meal they ask if we want separate bills and they come back in one minute, no prob. Also read how down there it was a lot slower to roll out the cordless debit/credit machines they bring to the table, which has been the norm up here for many years. They hand you the terminal, you choose percent or tip amount and then tap or insert your debit or credit card, easy peasy.
MarandTierra@reddit
That’s so interesting, and you’re right. Many fine dining places here in my city in the U.S. don’t use the handheld/cordless credit card machines. I see them at mid-range and casual places.
MoonlitBlossoms@reddit
Separate checks.. unless it was agreed upon that someone else was getting the bill before hand.
Careless_Lion_3817@reddit
Split checks or take turns…depends on friends and situation
Lessa22@reddit
Never random. Without more specifics I’m likely to ask for separate checks. I don’t love option number two either, unless you’re eating somewhere where the costs are same for everyone (like a buffet) it’s going to be unfair and could lead to resentment.
Lumpy_Grade3138@reddit
Split the check (no cash though)
GenericDave65@reddit
Either 1 or 3 depending on the situation. 2 has never made sense to me, someone is always getting screwed
JamesMattDillon@reddit
Separate checks. Why should I help pay for someone's order of a steak, when I just got soup and salad?
drewbaccaAWD@reddit
Depends. If it’s the same group of friends over and over, take turns. But otherwise? Play it by ear.
Slippery-Pete76@reddit
Separate checks. If we get something like pitchers of beer, we take turns paying.
DameKitty@reddit
With my parents, I treat them. No fighting.
With my bestie, it's a toss up to who can get to the check first or who has the money to spend.
If it's anyone else then we quietly ask before ordering for a separate check.
When it was just me, I would pay for myself.
SojournerWeaver@reddit
dinner is your idea? you pay ESPECIALLY if you pick the place. This assumes you can afford it. If you can't, you should be cooking instead.
MeepMeepBologna@reddit
1.
All the way.
JewishDraculaSidneyA@reddit
Rolling the dice is the most fun.
Once you hit a certain age - we all have strategies to screw each other.
We all keep a dirty VISA (has been dead for years, but is less likely for the wait staff to pick behind their backs - it feels like something a student uses, so they never pick it if we're randomizing).
If you get burned, you give your actual credit card, instead.
goofytigre@reddit
Someone puts it on their card, sends the receipt to the group and everyone venmo's their part of the bill.
kevstev@reddit
Split always. You guys are really forcing wait staff to keep track of separate bills? The handful of times I had to do this I could barely stand it as a server.
Weird_Squirrel_8382@reddit
I think they have a different system some places. We had about 10 adults and 10 kids out last weekend and the server brought 20 receipts. She trolled the little kids by putting their receipt in front of them.
randomwellwisher@reddit
Split checks. I wanna get what I wanna get and don’t want someone else fretting about the cost.
fernandez21@reddit
We have always done separate checks since high school, never understood why people do 1 check unless one person is paying for everyone. 🤷🏻♂️
elphaba00@reddit
I believe it’s also regional. Here in the Midwest, I feel like we don’t feel embarrassed to ask for separate checks. In other regions, I’ve heard they don’t dare ask.
Weird_Squirrel_8382@reddit
Some restaurants in Cincinnati automatically separate. It's funny to see the little kids look at their receipt like "the hell do I do with this?" meanwhile the teenagers just fling theirs in my direction.
andrewclarkson@reddit
It depends on who I’m with. I really don’t care much one way or the other I just want to pay and get going. The big problem with split checks is we have to wait for everyone’s card to get run.
I’m trying to remember to carry cash again, it does simplify a lot of these situations. I just pull whatever amount I owe plus tip and leave it on the table. Boom, done. Don’t even have to wait on the wait staff to come back.
crmd@reddit
the best argument against splitting the check was from a Moroccan friend who said, in his beautifully musical accent, “it makes me sad because it presumes I won’t have the pleasure of eating with you again”.
Weird_Squirrel_8382@reddit
That's sweet
Jets237@reddit
Separate checks if its easy otherwise splitting works
DeterminedErmine@reddit
Separate checks
Vash_85@reddit
Majority of the time separate checks. There are a few times where if I owe a friend lunch or beer and then I'll pay. Or when we go out of town on hunting trips, if he drives I'll chip in for gas or buy dinner and vice versa.
Weird_Squirrel_8382@reddit
One check, and it's paid by whoever organized the event.
Taskerst@reddit
I volunteer pay the whole check with my card to get those wonderful points and friends can just Venmo or give me cash.
RobMV03@reddit
Just split the check evenly between everyone knowing full well that sometimes you'll pay a little more than what you got, sometimes you'll pay a little less. There only exception is if like one person is really boozing it up, and even then, it's on them to say, "Hey, I had like 3 more drinks than anyone else, I'll take care of the tip."
BrainFartTheFirst@reddit
If I'm out with a group it's separate checks if it's one-on-one with a friend of mine then we usually just alternate.
Appropriate-Food1757@reddit
I could go either way. I prefer to split usually.
DifficultMinute@reddit
Separate unless someone is feeling super generous.
Aggravating-Alarm-16@reddit
Separate checks. None of this group check shit.
TollyVonTheDruth@reddit
Generally, it's separate checks and take turns equally. We've tried splitting checks, but we are all of the same mindset of "Don't worry about it. You can get next one if you want"
Life_Grade1900@reddit
Seperate for sure
SubstanceFearless348@reddit
One check. Divide evenly. Venmo
lueur-d-espoir@reddit
Aim for separate checks, if pressured to do something else cave in, don't go to food with those people again, come up with other ideas like going to someone's place we all bring something, taking turns hosting, even if I host I control the cost and can be cheap if these people seem like they'd be cheap to me.
HillBillyMadman@reddit
Separate checks, if possible. I don't have a phone, and when I did I never had venmo, etc. I usually drink when our and a few of my friends dont, and I just try to avoid any squabbling over the check. Plus some of my friends are kinda low tippers.
I also once got stuck in a spot at a buddy's birthday. We ended up having 15 people or so. And it was in between checks, so cash was a bit tight. Table like that they don't do separate checks, and there's auti-grat for the server. One girl orders like two bottles of wine for the table. I don't drink it, so I just ordered 3 beers throughout. She orders 2 apps for herself, plus a surf and turf. Then at the end orders to-go meals for her FIVE kids. Me, I'd only ordered myself 3 beers and a burger. The check comes and this girl says that everyone needs "to put in $115, and then throw in another few cause the server was great." My burger and beers totaled around $20. I left $20 on the table, left, but on the way out gave the server $20 as my tip. She's telling people I didn't pay. I paid my portion. I didn't have fucking surf and turf, and I'm not paying for her five kids dinners.
I never went back out with them. It was a work thing, one guy turned 21.
SevereAd9463@reddit
Most of the time we split. Unless it's a payment at reservation situation, then it's venmo/send payment to whoever booked it.
Brashear99@reddit
Separate checks
C1sko@reddit
CombatDeffective@reddit
We had a tradition of not wanting to eat alone, so whoever invited was the one paying. That way, you weren't eating alone and putting the pressure on someone else to have money to accompany you. So, if you were going to dinner, be able to adford however many you were inviting.
Clear-Journalist3095@reddit
Separate checks. Unless I'm treating a friend for their birthday or something.
Bunnyeatsdesign@reddit
I prefer 3 but I think that's less a Xennial thing than a Chinese cultural thing. Growing up, my family never EVER split bills with friends. Take turns or fight for the honour of paying. My husband is not Chinese but now he picks up the bill thanks to my influence.
Clean_Progress_9001@reddit
1 table 1 check 1 picture of the receipt shared amongst friends for the venmo square-up if more than 3
throwawayhbgtop81@reddit
Take turns. Yes, I do keep track.
RaspberryVespa@reddit
Separate checks because I don’t want to get stuck if some cheap ass lowlife twat tries to dine and dash from the table.
Legit had a “friend” do this once in my late twenties and I was like, “WTF??? NO, Asshole! If you can’t pay, tell me and I’ll pay. Don’t try to take off. wtf is wrong you??”
GrammaticalObject@reddit
There are the ones that end with me saying "I got this one, you get the next one." Then there are the ones that end with me saying "Fine, fine but I got the next one."
But if I'm honest, most of my meals end with both me and the friend saying, "Um, I...did...do you rememeber, who got the last one again?"
TheREALBaldRider@reddit
I don't go out with anyone other than family. Family has never paid nor offered to.
gummi-demilo@reddit
My dad pays every time we go out and I’m happy to let him considering how little he was present during my upbringing
PresentationLost1006@reddit
I’ve just recently gotten to the point where I feel like I can and should pick up the check for my parents. They make some meek noises, but don’t push back too hard :)
TurdFerguson2OOO@reddit
It's the opposite for me. I have to fight my parents to pick up the tab. It's like a Seinfeld episode.
PresentationLost1006@reddit
My in-laws are like that, so like Jerry, I come out Even Steven.
WickedShiesty@reddit
I feel like asking the wait staff to give everyone separate checks is just more work for them, for little payout. We are adults, we can tally up the cost and settle it ourselves. I prefer to just split the bill by the amount of people.
I have no problem with looking at a friend that had 3x the booze and tell them, "Hey Tim...you need to put in an extra 20 for your 2 drinks."
If it's close friends, one of us pays the bill, someone else leaves the tip and we generally just rotate.
If I was to get separate checks, it would be for far flung acquaintances or maybe co-workers not using the company card.
Regardless, I am not going to make that big of a stink about it. I will generally go with the flow and do what the consensus is. However, if I find out someone is taking advantage (like over drinking and not putting in), I will generally avoid eating out with them, or I will grab the check and and do the math myself accounting for their "extra" expenses.
I have zero issues with being that guy at the table to calmly tell people they need to pitch in more if the bill requires it.
gummi-demilo@reddit
It varies. With my coworkers/casual friends, it’s either separate checks, or the one person who wants CC points pays the bill and we all Venmo them separately.
With my childhood friends we’ve taken turns for years depending on where we are financially. I got you this time, you get me next time. In the case of one friend who struggles more than most I’ll pick up the bill for us to get sushi and then she’ll host me at her house for a few days and make bomb ass cinnamon rolls for breakfast (I can’t bake for shit).
Li-RM35M4419@reddit
Depends who I’m with, I don’t have a rule on it.
Aggressive_Economy_8@reddit
Used to be 1. Nowadays one of us pays and the others Venmo the payer.
gramma-space-marine@reddit
Yeah we use Splitwise when I’m traveling with friends.
larryb78@reddit
Usually we split it. There are one or two friends that like to nickel and dime over who had a soda and who didn’t so if they’re in the equation then it’s separate checks
moarlo@reddit
Credit card roulette
joshuastar@reddit
i hate this game…i’ve always said i hated this game
larryb78@reddit
I see I’m not the only perpetual loser
MarandTierra@reddit
If I’m dining out with just one or two friends, we won’t split the check. One of us will pay the tab and then Venmo our share to the person who charged it. It works out since we usually share all the entrees and apps, and drink the same amount.
CantaloupeAsleep502@reddit
3 usually, but no real expectation, just all comes out in the wash
purpleteenageghost@reddit
Single checks. If they can’t split it for some reason then Venmo.
rialucia@reddit
This is the way.
don51181@reddit
Always separate checks when getting food.
jlkb24@reddit
I’ve done the take turns with a friend and whenever it was on them it was always cheaper fast food vs dine in when it was mine. I stopped that soon after.
OllieFromCairo@reddit
Separate checks from the start.
jjmawaken@reddit
Friends separate checks
Hitthereset@reddit
If it’s small, a drink or two or a lunch without a big tab then I’ll get this one you get the next one.
Anything substantial and we’ll get separate checks.
CalgaryChris77@reddit
A mix of the 3 it really depends.
Embarrassed_Rate5518@reddit
it depends on the friend group but its usually one pays and the other send $. sometimes its split X ways, sometimes its itemized.
someguyfromsk@reddit
Everyone gets their own checks.
Expensive-Day-3551@reddit
1 normally. I went to a brunch once and my meal was about $16 and I ended up with an $80 bill because they wanted to split the check. I was pissed. They had gotten expensive bottled waters and alcohol.
Dazzling-Biscotti-62@reddit
Either 1 or 3, but it completely depends on who the companion is and where we are. I have never and will never do 2 and I don't understand people who do.
LackingUtility@reddit
Generally 2 or 3. I make more than my friends, so I'll pick up the check 2-4 times as often as they do - then I get to treat them, but I don't feel like I'm being taken advantage of. Or if we go to a pricey place, I pick up the check, and then if we go to a cheap place, I get treated.
It's not transactional. I don't keep a ledger. I like being generous to my friends, and I also like being treated occasionally. As long as we're all happy, I don't care.
safe-viewing@reddit
Take turns picking up the check. Works easiest and none of us in the group really care if one week we go somewhere more expensive vs somewhere cheaper. We’re all in good spots financially and it’s never been a problem.
Apprehensive_Hat8986@reddit
FunksGroove@reddit
Separate checks is ideal. If not that we typically have 1 person pay and just send everyone the itemized receipt to pay their share via Venmo.
Own-Balance-8133@reddit
Separate checks always
Violentopinion@reddit
I pay for my stuff, you pay for your stuff. Simple.
RylosAU@reddit
Option 3 if it's just a friend and I. If it's a larger group, then either 1 or 2 depending and if it the place allows split bills or not.
minneapocalypse@reddit
I think it depends on the situation. Normally, I would ask for split checks if it’s a friend I go out with regularly - especially if they’re ordering drinks because I usually don’t. However, just last week I had dinner with an old friend and his wife and I insisted on treating them for dinner. Sometimes we take turns paying for dinners if it’s each other’s birthdays.
MJblowsBubbles@reddit
Mostly split, but depends who I'm with. Most friends/couples we just split but I'll throw a little extra