Page 3 | Awkward bill splitting

Potplant85 · 2025-10-13T21:55:12+00:00

I go out with a group of friends at least once a month to eat, we split the bill equally between us all. Now here’s the problem, I hold back ordering what I want as I don’t feel it’s fair to make others pay for mine if I've ordered an expensive dish. I did bring this up on the last meal and was told not to be so silly and that we’d all split evenly still. I now tend to see what everyone else orders before I place mine, which means I’m often compromising on what I actually want to eat. I’m happy to pay extra for the fillet steak and extra wine, as I know one in the group has a limited budget but they would never mention that. Is it wrong to not want to go and eat with them anymore?

SirBasil · 13/10/2025 23:10

oh god this type of bill splitting is infuriating. Tell them, clearly, that you are not happy with it and from now on you will pay for your own food and beverages and your own tip. What they do - split or do the same - is up to them.

Ellie126 · 13/10/2025 23:09

Arlanymor · 13/10/2025 23:04

Not sure why you quoted me when it’s not my dilemma. I think it’s really sad the way you considered your friend a killjoy just because she had a budget. It’s bad enough trying to keep up with other people’s spending but to be looked down on negatively because she literally couldn’t afford it and yet still wanted to participate to the best of her ability is really unkind. Sorry but it is. You say that you understand that some people ‘don’t have the opportunity’ but based on your words about your friend you don’t really understand that at all.

Show quote history

I didn’t mean to quote you, sorry.

Arlanymor · 13/10/2025 23:04

Ellie126 · 13/10/2025 23:00

It is always awkward bill splitting and it’s kind of you to consider other people. Whilst everyone in the group should generally not ‘take the piss’ and order something extravagant I do think splitting equally is always just the best way to go. I have friends that don’t drink, and I ALWAYS expect I will pay for my drinks but they still wish to split equally because their point of view is that it’s their choice and don’t expect everyone to not drink to make the bill cheaper. Ie we had a uni friend that would always always just have water and a meal and would insist on paying nothing more. Which of course she is well within her right to do, but we couldn’t help but think she was a bit of a kill joy.

for example when I’ve gone out for dinnner and only had one drink when everyone else has two, I’m still very happy and want to just split equally. But then I guess I’m not financially tight and appreciate that some people might just not have the opportunity and option to offer.

Show quote history

Not sure why you quoted me when it’s not my dilemma. I think it’s really sad the way you considered your friend a killjoy just because she had a budget. It’s bad enough trying to keep up with other people’s spending but to be looked down on negatively because she literally couldn’t afford it and yet still wanted to participate to the best of her ability is really unkind. Sorry but it is. You say that you understand that some people ‘don’t have the opportunity’ but based on your words about your friend you don’t really understand that at all.

Ellie126 · 13/10/2025 23:00

Arlanymor · 13/10/2025 22:56

You need to explain to them that you feel it’s unfair because you don’t want others to subsidise you and then just keep your order and bill separate. If you don’t want to go and eat with them anymore on the basis of this situation that would be a real shame.

It is always awkward bill splitting and it’s kind of you to consider other people. Whilst everyone in the group should generally not ‘take the piss’ and order something extravagant I do think splitting equally is always just the best way to go. I have friends that don’t drink, and I ALWAYS expect I will pay for my drinks but they still wish to split equally because their point of view is that it’s their choice and don’t expect everyone to not drink to make the bill cheaper. Ie we had a uni friend that would always always just have water and a meal and would insist on paying nothing more. Which of course she is well within her right to do, but we couldn’t help but think she was a bit of a kill joy.

for example when I’ve gone out for dinnner and only had one drink when everyone else has two, I’m still very happy and want to just split equally. But then I guess I’m not financially tight and appreciate that some people might just not have the opportunity and option to offer.

Arlanymor · 13/10/2025 22:56

You need to explain to them that you feel it’s unfair because you don’t want others to subsidise you and then just keep your order and bill separate. If you don’t want to go and eat with them anymore on the basis of this situation that would be a real shame.