Splitting Bills in Restaurants

[TrinnersForWinners]

I'm a waitress part time in a fairly well known chain restaurant, often get people in who want to itemise the bill and pay separately which I don't mind when it's quiet but when it's busy it's irritating, especially when the difference amounts to less than +/- £2 per head usually.
Today I had two women in who had a total bill of £35.10 but insisted on paying for their food separately, when they asked I assumed there would be a difference to make them ask but after calculations it worked out as £17.40 to one and £17.70 to the other. AIBU to think that there's a cut off point where it just becomes ridiculous insisting on itemising everything? Surely part of eating out with friends is the social experience, quibbling over 15p (the difference between what they paid and what they would have done if they split it 50/50) doesn't sound like a very fun social experience to me tbh.

Maybe one only had £17.10 in her bank account. Maybe she preplanned what she was going to order by looking at the menu beforehand. Maybe she could only go out to eat by spending that exact amount.

maybe some of us hate doing this but don't have a choice

YABU those women may have had to claim back on their expenses and so needed to pay separately.

It's nothing to do with you. I've been a waitress and wouldn't ever even consider it!

It's your job...

I'd love to see peoples face if I complained I had to wait up to 8 hours whilst they checked goods before signing for them. And I don't even get a tip!

If you don't like it leave and get another job.

It must be a pita op

Maybe one only had £17.10 in her bank account

Then maybe she shouldn’t be eating out.

They probably only realised the paltry difference after doing the calculations. If they knew from the start, I don't think they'd bother. For me, the cut off point is over £2.

It's really not a big deal. In Germany, the waiting staff always ask if a group wishes to pay separately or together.

I work away a lot but often eat out with colleagues, we all need separate receipts for expenses claims

I have to say I didn't realise this was a thing, I've only ever split the bill or worked out how much we owed ourselves. That said in Germany itemised bills for each person is standard and in a way I think it's a good thing, it makes it less awkward to split the bill when one person's ordered the biggest steak and had five cocktails.

It’s also pretty common here in the US. When sat down as a group the server will always ask, before taking orders, if this will be together or separate.
I think the women you mention probably needed separate checks for expense reports.

You poor thing. I bet demanding customers like this also expect you to bring them food and clear their plates at the end. Some people are so entitled.

Sorting out the bill is one of the main jobs for a waitress. When I did it I used to always ask if the customers would like separate bills prior to ordering.

Charolais You sound lovely.

If you have enough money to pay for what you order and service charge, what's the problem?

I wouldve assume that it’s easier for you if we each pay for what we order rather than a cash amount? As you can just do two separate receipts rather than part payments.

Maybe they both want to pay by card and not faff about transferring money or handing over cash?

It’s your job, is it really so hard to do something that is very commonplace? (yes I work in customer service myself)

DailyMailReadersAreThick I can't believe you would even think of something as demanding as that!

I think it's absolutely ridiculous. We have a large group of friends (7 couples and 2 men) and always split the bill regardless of who eats what. Sometimes you might pay a couple of quid more, others less. Overall does it really matter?!

I agree op. Surely if people want to pay for exactly what they ordered, they either ask for separate bills or work it out from an itemised bill?

Tbh, it's part of the job.

Yes, it’s mean, petty and anti-social to squabble over a few pounds.

EastMidsMummy
Yes, it’s mean, petty and anti-social to squabble over a few pounds.

This ^ only seems to be the case if you order the expensive meals on the menu and expect the other people to pay.

Only if your friends are a bunch of cunts.

We would only ever split the bill if there's vouchers/coupons being used

Usually we all pay for ourselves though

Aw stop giving op a bad time!
I can see the point re claiming expenses, but come on! We are talking less than a quid here!
I hate it when I’m out with friends and someone starts on the old “I didn’t have the prawn cocktail” shite

I hate It . It’s mean imo to quib over a few pence but that’s how lots of people are.

Often it’s the ones with loads of money who are the tightest.

I don’t do this and neither do my friends. Bills are always split.

Wouldn’t ever sit going over who had what etc. No way.

Different strokes and all that...

My previous job we could claim up to £25 each. Trying to claim our expenses back half each was so much easier then doing one claim.

Sorry it might cause a bit of pain with the receipts but it got me my cash back a lot quicker