From reading the topic about mandatory tips, everyone seems to mention that large groups are a problem because they never split the bill properly. I was thinking about some problems that come up during a meal when you go out with coworkers for some occasion.
What does everyone do if they have to go out with a group of coworkers and split the bill (not neccesarily when the tip is adedd on)? Do you split it evenly or pay for your own?
Personally, I hate to pay for coworker who orders 3 drinks, 2 appetizers, the most expensive item and dessert and wants an even split when everyone else just orders a medium entree or salad. I also don't like to support the fuzzy math person who orders a dish for 18.99, shares all the appetizers, orders a soda and then chips in a $20 at bill time. Another problem is people who can't calculate tip properly and just guess some round number. Sometimes you end up undertipping, which is unwarranted and should be corrected, or you end up overtipping.
I also understand that meals with coworkers are a sensitive thing, and you don't want to develop a reputation as a cheap, or picky person. No matter how right you might be. So what is the best way to handle this?
A) Agree ahead of time if you're splitting the bill down the middle. B) Suck it up and understand that the extra dollars you're paying are an "expense" of working. C) Take the bill when it arrives and become "Bill captain" delegating who pays what. D) Give your own contribution before you are delegated an ammount. (Probably not the best idea, as others might think you're passing the extra burden to them. Especially when they have to pay more.) E) Avoid going out with coworkers. (Only adding this because someone else is going to say it. Not a good idea, as you want to interact and network with coworkers.) F) Trying to prevent a person who used to work as a waiter and tips 25%+ from being "Bill captain"
How do all of you (those without expense accounts) deal with this?
Business co-wrokers who are also friends split the entire bill. The guy who orders the most expensive stuff gets his own tab though.
Just business co-workers, seperate checks. Wehn seperate checks cannot be had, you calculate each persons share yourself. Do not whip out a calculator though, just do it in your head.
Mewanna: Its nice when the guy who ordered the most asks for his own check, but do you want to alienate him by telling him he has to pay separately? Assuming everyone is on the same level tou want to avoid the, "who made you the boss for the lunch?" thoughts.
Samiam: Interesting suggestion. A few around, so might give that a try next time.
It depends. If it's likey to be once only, then make it understood "Dutch Treat" which means separate checks. Exception may be for a birthday and she is cute. That said, nothing inapproproiate will occur. We would remain just coworkers ... nothing outside the job.
IF it is someone, I kinda like and we are very likely to repeat, then one gets the check - the other tips. Reverse that the next time.
What you do is make sure you have the proper denominations of cash to cover your bill, your tax and your tip plus a buck. When it comes time to pay don't be the first to grab the check. Be the first to pull out your billfold and throw the correct amount of cash on the table. When the leeches see this, it forces them to suck it up or be the a-hole. For expense accounts, tell the waitress you need a copy of the receipt when she picks up payment.
samiam68 said: Go to an all-you-can-eat fixed price buffet. Everyone pays the same.
Oh sure, alienate the skinny people. It is physically impossible for me to eat enough in one sitting to make a fixed price buffet 'worth it'. I always end up paying $12 for half of an old burger and 3 french fries.
The way we do it is that we all throw our money without counting in a pile in the middle of the table. We have no rules on how much each person should pay. Someone counts the money and either asks for more money or if there is too much money to give some of it back.
I am more than happy to pay more than my share to go out to eat with friends. If you are not willing to pay more than your share then the people you are eating with are not your friends and you should stop going to lunch with them.
At my work I end up being the "bill captain". Before we leave we initial the bill with what each one of us had, and I enter it into a spreadsheet I've set up for this. The tip and tax are added to the cost as a percentage, while the honoree's share is divided equally amongst the participants. I take the credit card rewards (although if someone else wants the rewards for themselves, I'm not going to argue, as long as they take the whole bill) and, as a courtesy to everyone, round down to the nearest dime or quarter on the spreadsheet (which saves me from handling a bunch of pennies or trying to get change). To make sure I don't spend the extra cash, after work I go to the Bank of America and deposit the cash in one of their cash accepting ATMs.
Usually it take about a week for everyone to finally pay, with a couple of folks requiring a prod after a couple of days of not paying. A few people also write checks for the amount, which is fine because I just deposit it anyway,
I have a group of four friends that eat dinner every month, and we usually end up round-robining it. Yes, when we do it this way, people that normally just get water tend to get sodas, and there is always the person in the group that flakes out when it is their turn, but it seems to work well.
GreyRabbit said: Mewanna: Its nice when the guy who ordered the most asks for his own check, but do you want to alienate him by telling him he has to pay separately? Assuming everyone is on the same level tou want to avoid the, "who made you the boss for the lunch?" thoughts.
Samiam: Interesting suggestion. A few around, so might give that a try next time.
I would just tell the guy, that he ordered the most expensive stuff and should chip in extra. If he didn't I would not eat with him again. Usually, in my circles I order the most expensive stuff and always ask for either a seperate check if possible or just put the entire bill on my CC for the rewards and get reimbursed later. 5% mtvu, is great when dining with friends.
My co-workers and friends know I a cheap SOB but, food is the one area I indulge in. So it isn't embarresing for anyone to do what I do.
GreyRabbit said: I also understand that meals with coworkers are a sensitive thing, and you don't want to develop a reputation as a cheap, or picky person. Reputations cut both ways. If you are with a group, just go with the group. Unless the rest of the group keeps leaving it up to you to pick up the slack, in which case you dont want to earn that reputation either.
SonorityGenius
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 23, 2009 @ 10:52a
Wow, I agree.. if its THAT big of a deal, pack your own lunch or go elsewhere...
If I'm going somewhere with table service with other people, I expect to pay more than I would if I ate alone. But I sincerely let it go at that, I have no idea who is typically a cheapskate or not, I just try to make sure we never leave a good server with a poor tip.
If it will gnaw at you, you should bring it up bluntly - "Hey, coworker, wtf - don't you owe more for the bill, tax and tip?". Don't complicate it, and don't build up a grudge.
gee, and i thought from the title, "Business/Coworker meal splitting." that this thread was about how to share the food. but its more prosaic, about how to split the check. guess this is the Finance forum after all.
BradMajors said: If you are not willing to pay more than your share then the people you are eating with are not your friends and you should stop going to lunch with themSo you never eat with a co-worker unless he or she is a friend? Good luck with your career
calwatch said: At my work I end up being the "bill captain". Before we leave we initial the bill with what each one of us had, and I enter it into a spreadsheet I've set up for this. The tip and tax are added to the cost as a percentage, while the honoree's share is divided equally amongst the participants. I take the credit card rewards (although if someone else wants the rewards for themselves, I'm not going to argue, as long as they take the whole bill) and, as a courtesy to everyone, round down to the nearest dime or quarter on the spreadsheet (which saves me from handling a bunch of pennies or trying to get change). To make sure I don't spend the extra cash, after work I go to the Bank of America and deposit the cash in one of their cash accepting ATMs.
Usually it take about a week for everyone to finally pay, with a couple of folks requiring a prod after a couple of days of not paying. A few people also write checks for the amount, which is fine because I just deposit it anyway,
I have a group of four friends that eat dinner every month, and we usually end up round-robining it. Yes, when we do it this way, people that normally just get water tend to get sodas, and there is always the person in the group that flakes out when it is their turn, but it seems to work well.
Everyone does this differently. There are always three types of people: 1) someone that doesn't mind paying more than what they ate, 2) eating more but paying less than their share, and 3) paying on the dot.
I try to pay on the dot as often as possible, and if we're short a few bucks, I'll just toss it in to avoid the awkwardness. I have friends that don't mind paying an extra $10-20 to make up for someone's alcohol or pizookie dessert, which is ridiculous to me. If a repeat offender asks me out to lunch, I make sure I have exact change to toss on the table, or politely decline. I'm already subsidizing millions of people through a multitude of avenues, but the buck stops here.
xoneinax said: BradMajors said: If you are not willing to pay more than your share then the people you are eating with are not your friends and you should stop going to lunch with themSo you never eat with a co-worker unless he or she is a friend? Good luck with your careerI always pick up the check when out to eat with co-workers. But I am their boss, and they are cute teenage girls....
wraithtech said: calwatch said: At my work I end up being the "bill captain". Before we leave we initial the bill with what each one of us had, and I enter it into a spreadsheet I've set up for this. The tip and tax are added to the cost as a percentage, while the honoree's share is divided equally amongst the participants. I take the credit card rewards (although if someone else wants the rewards for themselves, I'm not going to argue, as long as they take the whole bill) and, as a courtesy to everyone, round down to the nearest dime or quarter on the spreadsheet (which saves me from handling a bunch of pennies or trying to get change). To make sure I don't spend the extra cash, after work I go to the Bank of America and deposit the cash in one of their cash accepting ATMs.
Usually it take about a week for everyone to finally pay, with a couple of folks requiring a prod after a couple of days of not paying. A few people also write checks for the amount, which is fine because I just deposit it anyway,
I have a group of four friends that eat dinner every month, and we usually end up round-robining it. Yes, when we do it this way, people that normally just get water tend to get sodas, and there is always the person in the group that flakes out when it is their turn, but it seems to work well.
W...T...F
Some day Calwatch will realize why people seem to stop talking when he walks into the elevator.
wraithtech said: calwatch said: At my work I end up being the "bill captain". Before we leave we initial the bill with what each one of us had, and I enter it into a spreadsheet I've set up for this. The tip and tax are added to the cost as a percentage, while the honoree's share is divided equally amongst the participants. I take the credit card rewards (although if someone else wants the rewards for themselves, I'm not going to argue, as long as they take the whole bill) and, as a courtesy to everyone, round down to the nearest dime or quarter on the spreadsheet (which saves me from handling a bunch of pennies or trying to get change). To make sure I don't spend the extra cash, after work I go to the Bank of America and deposit the cash in one of their cash accepting ATMs.
Usually it take about a week for everyone to finally pay, with a couple of folks requiring a prod after a couple of days of not paying. A few people also write checks for the amount, which is fine because I just deposit it anyway,
I have a group of four friends that eat dinner every month, and we usually end up round-robining it. Yes, when we do it this way, people that normally just get water tend to get sodas, and there is always the person in the group that flakes out when it is their turn, but it seems to work well.
W...T...F We go out for birthday lunches, boss's day, secretary's day, etc. every month or so. It's not a big deal, and that's what I thought you were referring to. This is usually a group of 10-15 people depending on who shows up. For a few people we usually go to El Pollo Loco, Carl's, Costco, Subway, etc. so splitting bills is irrelevant.
Thanks for all of the replies. To clarify, I wasn't talking about going out with one other person. It is usually a team meeting, some of whom are my friends, but some work on different items and we don't see much of each other. Brown bagging the lunch isn't an option either, because we have set lunches for certain events. Splitting the bill with friends is much different then with coworkers. So certain procedures do not apply. There are some people that literally order 3 times as much (price total) as others. So its not just 2-3 bucks or it wouldn't really be a big deal. Keep the replies coming
Haven't you experienced going out with co-workers who would only fork out $10.00 and say that it was all they had? If you were a jerk and had no compassion, you'd pay only your share and let them deal with the problem. But if you were a true friend, you'd give the person a few bucks, esp. if you know that you make more than him. You'll never know when tables might turn and need his help in the future.
Jobbes said: Haven't you experienced going out with co-workers who would only fork out $10.00 and say that it was all they had? If you were a jerk and had no compassion, you'd pay only your share and let them deal with the problem. But if you were a true friend, you'd give the person a few bucks, esp. if you know that you make more than him. You'll never know when tables might turn and need his help in the future.If they were a 'true friend', they wouldn't have ordered more than they could afford and expect you to make up the difference.
"Forgetting" your wallet is one thing (as long as it only happens once), and quietly asking a co-worker in advance to cover their meal is another. But to wait until the check arrives to declare the fact they are not able to pay their share is kinda sleazy.
Haven't you experienced going out with co-workers who would only fork out $10.00 and say that it was all they had? If you were a jerk and had no compassion, you'd pay only your share and let them deal with the problem. But if you were a true friend, you'd give the person a few bucks, esp. if you know that you make more than him. You'll never know when tables might turn and need his help in the future.
That's not compassion, that's being a doormat -- or hoping for sex in the future from the scam artist.
A true friend doesn't hit up people for meal money; if you can't afford it, stay home or prepare to eat from the budget side of the menu. Prepare to eat slowly and drink slowly.
It's completely gauche of a co-worker to beg for money from workmates; it's outright grift to order a whole lot of everything because everyone else did, and then expect everyone else to pay for your part of the meal because 'we're all splitting aren't we?'.
$10 will buy a meal and a drink plus unlimited water. If you can't afford alcohol, but you're an alcoholic/lush -- voila you're tonight's designated driver. It is not anyone else's responsibility to get you drunk so you can enjoy the evening in spite of being broke.
If somebody is broke in the group, the true friends (plural) will not head to the most expensive joint in town. People, plan your get togethers better. Unless somebody is making a cruel statement through the choice of joints.
Nonaii
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 23, 2009 @ 6:29p
xoneinax said: BradMajors said: If you are not willing to pay more than your share then the people you are eating with are not your friends and you should stop going to lunch with themSo you never eat with a co-worker unless he or she is a friend? Good luck with your career
yeah, and it's also a good idea to bedhop for career advancement as well, right?
it does work.
it's the extreme version of 'Applebee's Night Out Career Advancement. Some folks love the game, some folks would do better in an environment that isn't so trashy.
There's work life, and then there's private life -- and some folks like to keep them separate. most people aren't living the Ivy League 'choose the wrong way to peel that orange and you lose the account' life. when it's just a job and not a career, keep true to yourself; keeps the drama down when other people's office politics backfires.
1) Grab the check when it comes to the table. 2) Deflect jokes about you paying since you were the first to grab for the check. 3) Tally up my stuff including tax and tip while rounding up, drop cash on the table. (Remember to bring cash to these things.) 4) Let everyone else duke out their own stuff.
bigdaddycincinnati said: ^^If you've found a way in the business world to avoid going to lunch with people you don't like, you should write a book. Like "Limiting my Career Lunch by Lunch". And though five bucks won't make or break me, I don't like subsidizing anything at all those people I don't like.Its not even about not wanting to pay a couple bucks extra, its about being treated as some cheap ass's bitch - when it happens over and over with no consideration for those constantly stuck shouldering the burdon. Even if its just a small amount, such treatment of co-workers typically ends up manifesting itself in other aspects of the workplace as well.
I think the topic is more about dealing with someone (or a group of someones) who always underpays, rather than being the one who gets stuck kicking in a bit extra once in a while.
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