Split bills

[TheGirlWhoLovedTomGordon]

There is a ‘Mums meal’ planned for this week, with the parents of the children my son goes to school with. Last time it was a split bill which cost me a lot more than I’d eaten.
AIBU to go along this time, but ask for a separate bill, as I won’t be drinking alcohol and won’t be ordering much to eat?

YANBU.
But make it clear at the start. "I'm on a budget so I'm going to pay for what I eat and drink and not take part in any bill splitting". You may well find others follow suit.

As pp said when you are ordering ask for a seperate bill. I would say, "I might need to leave early" if people look for a reason.

YANBU - If anyone queries it, I would happily tell them that you're not paying for other peoples alcohol/starters/desserts.

Take cash and round up what you've had to include a tip.

YANBU, most places are happy enough to take for meals individually in my experience

YANBU suggest that at the start and say you just want to pay for your share. I don’t see why you should have to pay more

Yanbu.
Say it from the start and It's fine. No one can argue with it, unless they're suggesting they want you to sub them.
But, make sure yo definitely put in what you should, plus a tip.

dont have to say its because you are on a budget- simply
"im not drinking so I'll just pay for myself"...end of.

YANBU I hate splitting the bill when so massively disproportionate. Equally i hate people who get a calculator out over the price of an orange juice.

YANBU there can be a huge difference in price between a light-eating vegetarian teetotaller and a person who orders a steak and a few bottles of wine. If I know I've gone for expensive options if there was a split bill I'd always make it clear I'd put in extra.

Thank you all. I have messaged the Mum who was arranging it all and told her I’d be having a separate bill, as I’m not drinking. She seemed fine with it. Hope everyone else is!

Don't do the split bill, it's not fair, it usually works out that you end up paying more than your meals , drinks cost because others order expensive stuff , and I bet the ones pushing for split bill are the ones who will.order the expensive menu items as they are the ones who will benefit (they won't pay the full price)

Say before you even order to the group and to the waitress that you want your bill separate...