I don't think it's that complicated, people round up the cost of a couple of dishes and drinks add a tip and say charge £x to this card.
That’s definitely not me! I’m usually the one rounding up the tip to cover the tight ones who won’t tip.
There’s a passage in the journalist Dolly Alderton’s memoir of her 20s where she remembers being at a friends birthday meal when she was extremely broke. She drank water and had a starter only but didn’t want to speak up when they decided to split it because she was so stressed about being broke anyway or something like that. Anyway she describes how one of her friends clocked her look and didn’t say anything but paid her share while she was in the loo, she says she’s never forgotten that kindness. I found that quite inspiring to read. So while I may argue for splitting the bill in general, I am aware these kind of situations arise.I always remember going out for a big family meal, I sat by my cousin and his girlfriend. They'd just bought their first house and were very skint. Everyone ordered and I saw them discussing the cheapest item, think they had a ploughmans lunch and a squash each.
At bill paying time, my dad just shouted 'everyone ok if we split it in couples?'. The panic on their faces bless them!! I spoke up and said i didn't think that was fair and paid our way - I explained why after.
Ever since then I've always been mindful and check everyone's ok whichever way we do it
I’d rather have my friends with me for a meal and split the meal then not have them there at all, I read through this thread and wonder how many of our friends feel the same as most people on here as we NEVER split the bill, I’m not paying for someone else’s food, we can’t afford it!
