Going out to Dinner

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Abner, Mar 15, 2009.

Loading...
  1. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Ok. Let me try to keep this a brief as possible. Kim and I have some friends that we go out to dinner and movies with. They are a married couple and usually bring two other people. They pay the bill for these two people. So in short, there is usually four of them, as well as Kim and I. I always ask the server to put Kim and I on our own separate bill. I don't see anything wrong with this, and of course to me it reduces the awkward adding up of each plate, which can turn into a nightmare.

    I always notice our friend Carla (the one who pays for herself, her husband and two friends) makes a comment. Usually it posed like a joke such as: "Oh, I though you were going to pay for all of us", after I ask for a separate bill. Let me preface by saying Carla makes a whole hell of a lot of money, and is very generous. But when it comes to tipping, she is CHEAP! Kim and I a very generous when it come to tipping, which is another reason why I like separate bills. I get the feeling she would like us to help pay for their guests as well. If it was an occasional thing, maybe. I am not a nitpicker. The other thing. We somtimes eat a wholes in the wall, and sometimes and VERY nice expensive places on the beach. I am cool. I really don't care. I could eat at a famous place, or I could eat a Sanchos Taco shop for 99cents a taco, I just don't care. But now I am rambling. What do you all think?


    Abner :)

    P.S. Please note fake names have been created. :)
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    If they invite the guests, they pay. To me it is simple.
     
  3. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    I'm with Randell. It will only get weird if your rich friend decides to pay the whole table's check- then you might be expected to reciprocate and pick up the tab the next time (or the other couple could too for that matter).
     
  4. Go_Fishy

    Go_Fishy New Member

    What Randell and cookderosa said. Carla's comments would make me uncomfortable; if she makes them repeatedly, maybe you should talk to her about it.
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Randall et al are right. The fact that this arrangement continues to occur indicates to me that there's no problem. When Carla makes her little joke I'd just flash my best smile and say, "Oh you say that every time." She'll never say it again.
     
  6. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Abner,

    Aren't you an overpaid civil servant? Just whip out the old state charge card and pay the whole tab and quit being selfish. :D

    On a serious side, unless you folks have made other arrangements I think everyone is correct. More importantly, just stepping up and paying yours separately is noteworthy. Not knowing the financial circumstances of the other couple I might offer to pay half of theirs if "Carla" and I had an agreement beforehand. I routinely pick up other folks tabs, sometimes I will pick a military couple (usually with kids) out in a restaurant and pay their tab anonymously. But then I also leave a tip in the motel room for the folks who clean the room. I'm not rich but I don't like folks who don't tip service rendered when it merits a tip.
     
  7. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    Point to her when the waiter arrives and inform him that she will be paying.

    Do it every single time you go out.
     
  8. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I, or my wife and I, eat out occasionally with friends. We always ask for separate checks its pretty standard practice in my community. Some restaurants refuse to give out extra checks ,or if we combine funds to obtain a discount, then we tell the server to split the bill on each parties credit card (then of course each party can add their own tip). Incidently I use a Costco credit card and get back 2 or 3%.
     
  9. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    I'm with you..usually we tell the waiter right off the bat that it will be on separate bills so then there are no issues. Other times, we hit restaurants where each of us orders a plate and then share - then we take the final bill and split it equally between the couples that are there ( usually three ) and never was there an issue.

    Really, this is a non-issue.. you get your bill, you pay for it, since your friend chooses to pay for their friends, that's fine... but you'd think that you would see their friends pick up the tab for them once in a while... no don't sweat it, you can always throw back the "..if I made your money, I'd be buying after dinner drinks for everyone on top of the meal" :D

    Now, enjoy the food and the company and don't worry about someone else's bill.
     
  10. MichaelR

    MichaelR Member

    I can easily say this one thing as a fact, without even knowing Carla, she has NEVER worked in a restraunt... My wife and I tend to tip 20% i worked in the restraunt industry for year either as a cook or a delivery guy. We have friends whom we eat out with two or three times a month who tip even more. My friend Billy has spent more time in the restraunt industry than i have though.
     
  11. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I eat out about 4-6 times a week and I tip about 20%. As far as bill spliting, it is made known as soon as the wait staff hits the table and drink orders are placed.
     
  12. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    4 - 6x a WEEK? Man, you're spending a small fortune on meals! :)
     
  13. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    I am with you. I also tip hotel workers. If the other couple were not freeloaders, I would offer to pay for them once in while, but the guy is a Kato kaelin type of dude. I don't need to support a "huevon"(latin for lazy ass).

    I am a public servant, but I feel I am decently paid and I know how to maximize my money. My wife makes good money, and we are comfortable. The problem with the Carla's of the world is enough is never enough. They spend huge amounts of money on meals and other things, then complain about leaving a decent tip. That is really starting to piss me off. That is huge reason why I like to ask for our own bill. I believe in rewarding hard work with a good tip.

    Thanks for all your comments everybody, I enjoyed reading them. For a while there you start second guessing yourself. Of course it is ok to as for a separate bill. I just feels good to hear it from others.

    See ya!

    Abner :)
     
  14. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I like this idea.

    -=Steve=-
     
  15. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    I will try it out and report back. Carla is in France on business, but when she gets back in a month I am going to use Kizmet's line.

    Abner :)
     
  16. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    I travel a lot on business. Some weeks it is only 3-4 times. I have been averaging $3K a month in expenses.
     
  17. ebbwvale

    ebbwvale Member

    What are the rules for tipping in the US?
     
  18. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    It used to be 15% but now it is 18-20%.
     
  19. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Yes, I tip 20%.

    Abner
     
  20. ebbwvale

    ebbwvale Member

    Good to know. I might wander over next year and see how things are going. You blokes drive on the wrong side of the road, but at least I can handle the tipping.
     

Share This Page