Comments on: Your Take: How do you deal with “Splitting the check?”

By: J. Money

J. Money — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:45:59 +0000

Wow, had nooooo idea some places can divide up appetizers! That’s hot. Although I’d feel like a jack-ass bringing it up, haha…. Thx for sharing w/ us Valerie! Have a great weekend :)

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:11:01 +0000

I have to say, from my experience as a server if you say ‘we’d like separate checks please’ from the beginning, it isn’t a hassle at all. I would just write each order separated by a line. It gets more confusing if you wait until the end, but if you’re patient with your server, it shouldn’t be a big deal there either. Also, in the places I’ve worked, if you split an appetizer, the computer system usually allows you to split the item into fractions (“1/4 Mozzarella Sticks” for example). I know every place isn’t like this, but many are.

Also, almost every time I go out with a group, the first thing the server asks is “Will this be on one bill or separate?” so the idea that it would be a problem is confusing to me.

By: J. Money

J. Money — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:43:43 +0000

I hear ya man – gotta change up the game depending on who’s sitting at that table with ya :) Love your icon there too – funny!

By: logan

logan — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:43:35 +0000

Great article.. I am usually lucky, and the check comes out quite close. People who drink a lot usually will open a separate tab for their drinks.. but what happens a lot to me is when people just start throwing in their share, but forgetting about taxes/tip… it happened to me a few times where certain people would be paying a lot more for other peoples taxes/tips.

ugh.. i ask for a separate check all the time these days, unless it is with really good friends.

By: The Best Money Blog

The Best Money Blog — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:45:02 +0000

Those are two awesome tactics, both of which are seemingly innocent and would work perfectly.

By: Carnival of Money Stories! | Ultimate Money Blog- Save Green and Live Green!

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:10:04 +0000

[...] Money presents Your Take: How do you deal with “Splitting the check?” posted at Budgets Are [...]

By: J. Money

J. Money — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:36:36 +0000

I think that’s great Frustrated & Frugal, glad you got something out of all this :) Have a most blessed weekend!

By: Frustrated and Frugal

Frustrated and Frugal — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:27:00 +0000

Frustrated and frugal here. Thank you all for your helpful advice. My husband and I will probably have to start asking for separate checks more often when out with friends. So far, I’ve tried to avoid doing this because I do not like to burden the waiter/waitress and because I already have a bit of a reputation among my close friends as the one who worries about every penny. They’ll know why we are asking for separate checks!
In employment-related situations like the one I have detailed, I think our plan is to just keep our mouths shut and pay whatever we have to pay. (The “I might have to cut out early” excuse is a good one, JMoney, but it wouldn’t have worked in this case because we drove three of our five dining companions to the restaurant!)
One of my friends suggested I similarly chalk it up as the cost of entertainment for the evening. I think if I assume I will pay a surcharge going in, it will be a little less infuriating. More than anything, I really needed to blow off some steam with the like-minded, and you gave me that chance, so thank you.

By: J. Money

J. Money — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:34:16 +0000

Interesting…they probably DO get tipped more when separated out like that. Although it’s still more of a pain I’d imagine.

Def. agree that having pre-determined phrases helps out in life :) I’m getting really good at “No thanks, but good luck!” to all the save-the-whales/animals/planet people here in D.C. They hit me up every damn time I walk by them – even when they know very well who I am by now!

By: Heidi Proebstel

Heidi Proebstel — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:34:38 +0000

I used to wait tables in college. Let me just say, your server prefers that you get seperate checks (better tips usually).

My solution is when the server come around to take my order I say, “My husband and I are on a seperate ticket.” And proceed. That is all it takes.

I find in life, that if you have a few phrases already worked out in your head for these situations it makes it a LOT easier. If you wait until after the fact, you’ll end up feeling punked.