If you go out for dinner with friends are you paying for your own food and beverages or do you split the bill in a way that everyone has the same amount? The splitting of a bill could cause conflict between friends, particularly in the event that someone wants to not contribute in any way. It isn’t easy to divide bills in a fair manner and not cause any friction during the process.
How To Split The Bills Among The Friends
Some people tend to feel more comfortable paying for their own food and drink, while others prefer to divvy up the costs equally between everyone at the table. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual diner to decide how they want to handle payment.
Many restaurants have a set price per dish, with no varying size of serving platters priced differently. The perception that “everyone should pay the same” can be an issue as more and more diners are trying to avoid paying higher prices. Nearly two out of three people surveyed said they would hesitate over not paying for smaller portions when dining at restaurants owned by other people or outside their group’s local community.
After having a discussion with your group about the cost of your bill for the dinner, figure out the best method for splitting the cost. Each method comes with its pros and cons and you should choose the one that’s most suitable for your particular situation. Here are some suggestions for sharing the cost with your companions:
#1 Pay The Entire Bill By a Single Person and Get Repaid
If you are confident in your circle of friends, you may be willing to pay the bill and then have your friends repay you afterwards. You can also alternate paying the bill and getting the money back in the future. This keeps the process of paying bills quick and easy, however, it requires trust, and requires the customer to shell in a significant amount of cash. This isn’t the best option for those who follow an envelope budgeting method due to the amount of cash required.
#2 Split the Bill Evenly
In the event that you and your companions don’t feel the need to determine the amount, each one of you owes toward the bill the best option is to divide the bill equally. While some individuals are happy to pay an extra amount or pay smaller than what they owe, other people are likely to be upset when they pay to eat someone else’s meal. If you choose to split the cost equally, be sure that all guests paid for items that are similar in price and that everyone has any issues with this approach to split the cost.
#3 Use a Bill Splitting App
If you regularly go out with your friends or order take-out food together, you should check out a bill-splitting program such as youchamp. It will keep track of your expenses and will calculate the amount due for all the people in your group. The simple-to-use application reminds your guests that they have a debt to you which takes the pressure off your shoulders and removes the need for awkward conversation.