Equal bill splitting annoyance

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Just after some balanced opinions.

Context is that 4 of us old work colleagues meet for dinner 2 or 3 times a year.

We always split the bill equally between us.

Last time we met last week it was noticeable that 2 of us including me ordered a drink at the bar when we arrived and then paid for it ourselves and then found our table and didn't drink any more.

Other 2 ordered all drinks at the table to go on the group tab and had 4 or 5 alcoholic drinks.

I had a main at 15 quid, others ordered mains all about 20 to 22 each, no issue there.

However the bill came to just over 160 plus tip and we all paid about 45 each, it really struck home that 2 of us are massively subsidising the others 2 alcohol !

Don't want to spoil the atmosphere but equally it's irritating !

No one skint , all working

What is a pleasant way to put a stop to this ?! Without being mean or penny pinching

There is no point in reading this poster's posts on this thread as she hasn't once justified why someone who expects others to cover the extra charge for their food & drink cannot possibly be seen as a penny pincher. I ftft again after @MasterBethtold me to but sadly could not find anything new in addition to what I'd already read

😀Thank you x

I think the people who let this happen are absolute CF. I couldn’t imagine allowing my friend to split the bill down the middle knowing I had been drinking alcohol and she hadn’t. I’d insist she paid her own tab only.

Same here. Even DH and I split bills correctly in the first few years we were together. My instigation as I wanted equal fairness. OK, not down to the penny, but pretty close. Even on holidays, before we lived together, we'd take a "joint" purse to buy things where we bought roughly equally, i.e. drinks, snacks, meals, souvenirs, entry fees, into which we put equal amounts of cash. For anything different, we used our own separate purses, i.e. if one of us wanted a much more expensive meal or 2 drinks when the other only had 1, etc. I never put up with going out with friends and them wanting to split the bills equally when there had been differences in what we'd had - I'd always get in first when it came to paying to say we'd pay for our own. Don't really understand why people think it's difficult as it's just adding a few figures together. Of course, even better these days to order separately on the app in bars/restaurants, so no need to worry about bill splitting etc. as everyone orders their own and pays upon ordering it.

For once the CFs are here and can’t see that they are the issue. I couldn’t have a night where my main was £20 and I drank tonnes but then only paid a share of £30. And don’t give me the argument that “well they could order/ drink more “ as guess what? Your night would be £££ and you might , unless you’re so wealthy you don’t notice another £30 , think “wow the meal is a lot tonight”. YOU are willingly allowing your friends who you are supposed to care about and value the friendship , pay for you. You either know what you’re doing or are oblivious to money.

i think this is a situation where you should split 4 ways , seems a bit petty not to. But ask for the drinks at the bar to be included in the bill or if that’s not possible just wait and order at the table