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Original poster

Help! How should this restaurant bill be divided?

21 replies

JolieJ · 03/06/2022 11:49

I've planned a dinner tonight for my best friends birthday. There are 8 of us.

I had to pay £20 deposit per head and then everyone sent me £20 back to cover it (except one person who still hasn't)

Now one of the girls has tested positive for covid and can't come. I felt really sorry for her so I have given her her £20 back.

So now I've put £60 of my own money into the deposit.

How do we split the bill tonight?! My brain isn't computing this! Blush

OP posts:
CHiSOCG · 03/06/2022 11:50

You shouldn’t have sent her the deposit back, so that’s your loss. You ask the other person for their £20 ahead of the meal. Then the rest of the meal split between you all.

Original poster
JolieJ · 03/06/2022 11:51

Yes I suppose, I just felt bad since it wasn't her choice. If she had been flaky I wouldn't have. But I guess I'll suck it up then and just split it equally

OP posts:
Aworldofmyown · 03/06/2022 11:52

You shouldn't have given the £20 back unless the restaurant takes it off the bill - they seem to keep deposits now as it happens so often.

Original poster
JolieJ · 03/06/2022 11:52

Yes the deposit will be taken off the bill automatically.

OP posts:
FieryPitOfMordor · 03/06/2022 11:53

I think it depends on whether they take the non-show’s deposit off the total bill. If they do, I think you’re fine to take that “back”. Otherwise, yes, split it equally (but get the £20 off the non-payer back first)

Shakeitshakeitbaby · 03/06/2022 11:53

Split it by 7 (number of people attending. Add £20 on to person who hasn't paid's bill, take £20 off your amount for the amount you paid for the person not attending (assuming your deposits come off the final bill).

Original poster
JolieJ · 03/06/2022 11:56

Yep I spoke to the restaurant and they said they will use the entire deposit for the bill and it's ok because I've let them know it will be 7 not 8, otherwise would have lost the £20 completely.

I'm just going to suck up the extra £20 and then split it equally amongst 7. And tell the friend who hasn't paid me to add £20 to her share, and I'll minus £20 from mine.

Thanks all!

OP posts:
titchy · 03/06/2022 12:03

You don't need to suck anything up. Shakeit almost has it. Add £20 to the remaining bill. Divide by 7. Everyone pays that amount, except you who pays £20 less. That accounts for the fact that you paid COVID's deposit.

Then if your remaining share is still over £20, knock another £20 off what you pay and add to NOPAY's bill, or NOPAY gives you £20.

Original poster
JolieJ · 03/06/2022 12:16

titchy · 03/06/2022 12:03

You don't need to suck anything up. Shakeit almost has it. Add £20 to the remaining bill. Divide by 7. Everyone pays that amount, except you who pays £20 less. That accounts for the fact that you paid COVID's deposit.

Then if your remaining share is still over £20, knock another £20 off what you pay and add to NOPAY's bill, or NOPAY gives you £20.

I think you've unlocked it! Thank you CakeGin

OP posts:
Sallypally0 · 03/06/2022 13:13

You don't need to suck anything up. Shakeit almost has it. Add £20 to the remaining bill

Why? None of the other guests agreed to refund the covid persons deposit. OP made this call on their own so should foot the cost.

The whole point of a deposit is that you lose it if you do not attend. The fact OP felt sorry for her and gave her the money back should not be funded by the others.

MangoBiscuit · 03/06/2022 13:18

Because that £20 is going to be taken off the bill, and it won't cost them anymore for one person dropping out.

Original poster
JolieJ · 03/06/2022 13:18

Sallypally0 · 03/06/2022 13:13

You don't need to suck anything up. Shakeit almost has it. Add £20 to the remaining bill

Why? None of the other guests agreed to refund the covid persons deposit. OP made this call on their own so should foot the cost.

The whole point of a deposit is that you lose it if you do not attend. The fact OP felt sorry for her and gave her the money back should not be funded by the others.

What difference does it make to the others if the deposit is given back? We're still going to be paying for whatever we eat, minus the person who can't come. Luckily my friends are not petty people, but if it will help you sleep better at night, I will be sucking it up. Hmm

OP posts:
titchy · 03/06/2022 13:21

Sallypally0 · 03/06/2022 13:13

You don't need to suck anything up. Shakeit almost has it. Add £20 to the remaining bill

Why? None of the other guests agreed to refund the covid persons deposit. OP made this call on their own so should foot the cost.

The whole point of a deposit is that you lose it if you do not attend. The fact OP felt sorry for her and gave her the money back should not be funded by the others.

And if the restaurant would be adding the cost of an 8th persons meal to the bill that would indeed be fair. But the restaurant has said they are happy to bill the actual amount and use all 8 peoples deposit. As OP has paid two lots of deposit then she needs to recoup one deposit because there is no financial loss due to Covid no longer being able to come.

PatAndFrank · 03/06/2022 13:22

Divide the bill by how everyone many turn up.. BUT ask everyone if they are happy for an equal split before hand saves on the I had water and I’m not paying for the wine type of thing

titchy · 03/06/2022 13:22

OP don't suck it up. There's no need. No one will be out of pocket. It's not fair that everyone should have their bill reduced by £20/7 while you pay an extra £20.

burnoutbabe · 03/06/2022 13:30

i think it would work like this

Total food cost £700 for the 7 of you
you each owe £100.

But already you have paid the restaurant £160 - £60 by you (You, nopayer and COVID PERSON) and £20 by 5 others
So when you all go to pay
You pay £40 (£100 less £60)
NOn payer pays £100
other 5 pay £80 each
total payment £540

total payment before - £160
TOTAL PAID £700

ouch321 · 03/06/2022 13:58

You're covering the birthday person's meal as their present presumably...

Original poster
JolieJ · 03/06/2022 13:58

burnoutbabe · 03/06/2022 13:30

i think it would work like this

Total food cost £700 for the 7 of you
you each owe £100.

But already you have paid the restaurant £160 - £60 by you (You, nopayer and COVID PERSON) and £20 by 5 others
So when you all go to pay
You pay £40 (£100 less £60)
NOn payer pays £100
other 5 pay £80 each
total payment £540

total payment before - £160
TOTAL PAID £700

Yess! That's the right way, thank you! I just didn't want to create a hassle when it came time to pay the bill but this is easy and makes sense! Wine

OP posts:
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 13:44

You shouldn't have given her money back

MrsSkylerWhite · 04/12/2022 13:45

You were kind but you can’t expect everyone else to pick up the tab for it. That’s on you. Sorry.

Sonyrecording · 04/12/2022 14:47

burnoutbabe · 03/06/2022 13:30

i think it would work like this

Total food cost £700 for the 7 of you
you each owe £100.

But already you have paid the restaurant £160 - £60 by you (You, nopayer and COVID PERSON) and £20 by 5 others
So when you all go to pay
You pay £40 (£100 less £60)
NOn payer pays £100
other 5 pay £80 each
total payment £540

total payment before - £160
TOTAL PAID £700

Perfect. You don't even need to discuss Covid's deposit with the others. They are paying what they expect to pay, which is also what they owe.

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