Bill splitter karma

[Payforyourowndinner]

I wanted to share this as often read stories on here of people getting stung by people insisting on splitting the bill when they’ve gone all out on cocktails and steak.

I went out with work tonight, and don’t go often. I was driving so no drink but did have a starter, main, and dessert.

There is a person who works for the company but not on my team who often hears about meals out and adds himself on. No one ever stops him. He does get on with some of the men on my team so all good, but he does go for the steak, wine, sides etc and insists on splitting and folks are too scared to challenge him for some reason. Now as he’s not on my team he’s not on my team WhatsApp group so I put it out there on the chat I wouldn’t be splitting, just paying for my own. A few added that they’d much prefer to do that (and a few of the newer staff are on a lower wage). No one updated the other man (why would they?) so out we went, all ordered. Some preferred one course with water, others the same as me. Some shared wine. He ordered- (I made a note as it was crazy)
bread and oil
A starter
bottle of Rioja
main (steak and chicken)
two sides
dessert
2 pints.
Now, I’m all for going for it, fill your boots, but pay for it.
The bill came, he said “usual is it?”, I said what do you mean, he said well spilt like always. I took so much delight in telling him that we had all decided to pay for our own, times are hard and we have junior members etc. Oh the face, the face!! He said he would never have ordered what he did if he knew we weren’t splitting and I took great delight in saying “you wouldn’t have ordered what you did if you knew you’d have to pay for it all yourself? Didn’t you see some had one meal and a glass of water?”
As we paid the bill I also made sure that they took our payments before his so he couldn’t wangle. He was so red, he paid and left without saying a word.

I can’t believe the cheek of some people.
hope it will make him think twice. I understand friends splitting bills but why would he assume colleagues from other teams would want to pay for his dinner.

I wanted to share the little win. When I was a junior I wouldn’t have stood up to him either, but menopause does things to a woman.

Use this one as it spells out his con and put a reference in about his comment 'I wouldn't have ordered as nuch if I'd known we were splitting the bill'. Which implies he knew what he was doing and he wasn't put on the spot.

Who said anything about three courses or any more food at all? You've just said yourself maybe with a glass of wine and a coffee, which is not a glass of water, is it?

A main and a glass of water just sounds a bit boring for a meal out.

Yes, that was really awful of your manager/older senior colleagues not to realise.

I feel similar about anyone who suggest splitting the bill equally when it is clear that some people had a lot less than others or they knew that had loads and don't speak up when someone else suggests it.

I must prefer paying for what I had - love the fact that we always do this when out with colleagues now. One of us pays the entire bill on our cc and then works out what everyone owes the next day. It is very illuminating the differences - can be up to a 4x difference between the most and least expensive share. If I know the bill will be split equally then it definitely stops me ordering what I really want - I won't have that extra side/cocktail/most expensive main if I think other people will be subsidising it.

What is wrong with a meal and water? If I'm not drinking alcohol I sometimes prefer water to another soft drink.

How brilliant is this thread. The gift that keeps giving.
Remember the old advice OP, never put anything in writing you would be embarrassed to have read out in court.
I'm sure you are on top of this. I hope your meeting goes quickly so you can carry on your new vendetta and update us.

I’d say, ‘You weren’t out on the spot. You were expected to pay for the food and drink you ordered for yourself, as was everyone’

Usually, but not always.

Is it obligatory at a restaurant to have more than one course? Or to order a drink I don't want?

Plus why would people eat more in a restaurant? The treat is the nicer food that you haven't cooked yourself and the social side. Most restaurant main meals are already larger than what you'd eat at home, so you'd not necessarily order additonal courses that you're going to be too full to eat.

And if you're driving or don't drink alcohol anyway, what's wrong with water? I don't like sweet soft drinks and avoid bottled water for environmental reasons mostly, so if I'm not drinking alcohol, my preference would be a jug of tap water.

Best. Thread. EVER.

I’m having a week where the bastards are winning all over the shop so this was a joy to read!

The absolute brass neck of the man. I'm surprised he sent you a message, was he not suitably embarrassed at being such an arsehole? I don't even push the boat out when the company is paying, I stick to what I'd order if I was paying, but to EXCEPT and ACCEPT juniors on a lot less money to pay double the bill to fund his gluttony, it beggars belief.

@Stickyricepudding

My bil is exactly the same. He rung up the other day and asked if we'd pay his £10k credit card bill off as our charity donation. How I laughed at the entitled fecker, he genuinely thought I'd say yes.

Cheeky twit. I can think of dozens of actual, deserving charities to give my money to if I had a spare £10K lying about. Some people have hide like rhinos! 🌹

Yes, I think the suggested message which OP may have sent was far too kind. Sock it to the cheeky motherfucker.

This is awful!
I always used to treat the most junior non commission earning team member(s) when we went out, and pay for their meals in full, but say they could leave a tip for the staff (and note who didn't).

This happen to me and my husband when we were students. We went for a birthday meal. We were both skint but wanted to attend. We had a main and a coke. Everyone else was drinking wine and eating several course. Then it was suggested that the bill was split. I had already paid our bill, tip and a bottle of wine for the birthday girl. I said absolutely not. I've paid for our bill, brought a gift and paid for birthday girls wine. We just left after that. I'm sure they all had a chat about our rudeness after. Although, the birthday girl wouldn't have been happy we were put in that position because she knew our financial situation.

Bask in the glory today @Payforyourowndinner, last night will go down in workplace history. Chuckling heartily to myself here, would've loved to have been there!

Don't do this, especially not on a work platform. It's not wrong but it could come back on the OP. Stay passive and reasonable.

@Poettree when you are out next time, ask the waitress for the bill to come to you and you only, if you want to do this discretely ask when you go to the loo.

The sheer audacity!!

I’d not be able to keep myself in check in your position.

What an absolute dick.

"I don't think anyone else who had previously agreed to split, would appreciate having to subsidise your meal either though. You perhaps should have some consideration for team members who have ordered a lot less because they can't afford more. I don't appreciate being told that I've put you on the spot for your menu ordering decisions. Its just plain rudeness."

As it's Teams, I think he's trying to push you into saying something he can take to HR as evidence of bullying. Dont rise to it.

I'd make him spell out what he means: 'What do you mean "put on the spot"?'

Hahahahahahahaha wish I'd been there.

Actually I prefer this.

He really is a horrible man.

Id reply. Thanks for your message. as you know In line with company policy all employees must be treated with dignity & respect

Just answer “?” It will infuriate him nearly as much as “👍🏻” but also encourage him to keep digging his hole!