Group lunches

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A group of us at work (6) took one of our co-workers out to lunch today for his birthday. We go out for lunch like this without incident about once a week but today the money was short, so some guys ended up throwing in more cash. This was at Cheesecake Factory so it wasn't cheap - the total bill with tip was about $138. I got a burger ($9) and slice of cheesecake ($6.50) - and ended up charging $25 on my card. It was just embarassing to have it happen on this guy's birthday and to see us bicker over the bill. Anyone have suggestions on how to pay a bill as a group that keeps everyone honest? (some places won't do separate checks).

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

A group of us at work (6) took one of our co-workers out to lunch today for his birthday. We go out for lunch like this without incident about once a week but today the money was short, so some guys ended up throwing in more cash. This was at Cheesecake Factory so it wasn't cheap - the total bill with tip was about $138. I got a burger ($9) and slice of cheesecake ($6.50) - and ended up charging $25 on my card. It was just embarassing to have it happen on this guy's birthday and to see us bicker over the bill. Anyone have suggestions on how to pay a bill as a group that keeps everyone honest? (some places won't do separate checks).

it's only $10 so you can quibble about it with the others but you won't get satisfaction, just hurt feelings. let it go.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

Sounds about right if you include tax, tip and chipping in for his share.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I hate it when that happens I would say just so you don't argue in front of the guy to pay then afterwards tell whoever was short that they owe ya. I mean if it was an accident or almost never happens it's ok but some people are infamous for not paying enough. I would tell them after though.

[ILIKEALLCAPS 0]

Honestly, unless you're really good chums with your work mates, you're going to have someone who is either not satisfied, or trying to work the system.

If you can get everyone to agree.....you split it evenly all the time. Yes, sometimes that means you end up paying $25 for $15 worth of food, but it also means that sometimes you pay $10 for $15 worth of food. Once you add in the birthday person eating free, and a tip.....plus the anticipation of a free meal on your birthday.....you all come out even.

Elsewise, agree to go only to places that will provide separate checks.

Rock, scissors, paper will solve any disputes. (hit the annoying one with a rock, cut the body up with the scissors, use the paper to provide an alibi "Honestly officer, I was working....look at the date and time on this paper")

[gimygirl 0]

you're men!! surely one of you 6 should have been able to reach a 'logical' solution to this common 'woman' issue!!!

to me ... since you said that the 6 of you do this once a week ... have 1 person but one week, then another the next and so on and so forth. now that would be a logical solution!!

[sarah and hicham 3]

not if one week they go to cheesecake factory and one week they go to taco bell. Not cool.

[almaty 19]

you're men!! surely one of you 6 should have been able to reach a 'logical' solution to this common 'woman' issue!!!

to me ... since you said that the 6 of you do this once a week ... have 1 person but one week, then another the next and so on and so forth. now that would be a logical solution!!

men are never that logical

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Honestly, unless you're really good chums with your work mates, you're going to have someone who is either not satisfied, or trying to work the system.

If you can get everyone to agree.....you split it evenly all the time. Yes, sometimes that means you end up paying $25 for $15 worth of food, but it also means that sometimes you pay $10 for $15 worth of food. Once you add in the birthday person eating free, and a tip.....plus the anticipation of a free meal on your birthday.....you all come out even.

Elsewise, agree to go only to places that will provide separate checks.

Rock, scissors, paper will solve any disputes. (hit the annoying one with a rock, cut the body up with the scissors, use the paper to provide an alibi "Honestly officer, I was working....look at the date and time on this paper")

The waitress came back with our cards (3 of us) and the cash (3) saying we were short. Total $50 in cash, and $66 in credit cards, which left about $22 short of the $138 which included the tip. So somebody who paid cash wasn't being honest. Two guys ordered beers ($4.50 a piece) and one guy's meal alone was $15 - I don't want to have to pay for his tastes. I knew the lunch was going to be costly so I ordered more conservatively and drank water. I'm pretty sure I know the culprit - I've watched him stiff on the tip more than once. I'm thinking next time one of us should take charge of the bill, collecting from each person the money, but that means that person might have to say to this cheapskate that he's not putting enough in to cover tax and tip.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I would be pissed too. Why pay for someone else's meal if they're never going to pay for your let alone their own.

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

Stop inviting the tight wad!

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Honestly, unless you're really good chums with your work mates, you're going to have someone who is either not satisfied, or trying to work the system.

If you can get everyone to agree.....you split it evenly all the time. Yes, sometimes that means you end up paying $25 for $15 worth of food, but it also means that sometimes you pay $10 for $15 worth of food. Once you add in the birthday person eating free, and a tip.....plus the anticipation of a free meal on your birthday.....you all come out even.

Elsewise, agree to go only to places that will provide separate checks.

Rock, scissors, paper will solve any disputes. (hit the annoying one with a rock, cut the body up with the scissors, use the paper to provide an alibi "Honestly officer, I was working....look at the date and time on this paper")

The waitress came back with our cards (3 of us) and the cash (3) saying we were short. Total $50 in cash, and $66 in credit cards, which left about $22 short of the $138 which included the tip. So somebody who paid cash wasn't being honest. Two guys ordered beers ($4.50 a piece) and one guy's meal alone was $15 - I don't want to have to pay for his tastes. I knew the lunch was going to be costly so I ordered more conservatively and drank water. I'm pretty sure I know the culprit - I've watched him stiff on the tip more than once. I'm thinking next time one of us should take charge of the bill, collecting from each person the money, but that means that person might have to say to this cheapskate that he's not putting enough in to cover tax and tip.

that's one solution. or just exclude him next time you go.

[Fandango 1,439]

A group of us at work (6) took one of our co-workers out to lunch today for his birthday. We go out for lunch like this without incident about once a week but today the money was short, so some guys ended up throwing in more cash. This was at Cheesecake Factory so it wasn't cheap - the total bill with tip was about $138. I got a burger ($9) and slice of cheesecake ($6.50) - and ended up charging $25 on my card. It was just embarassing to have it happen on this guy's birthday and to see us bicker over the bill. Anyone have suggestions on how to pay a bill as a group that keeps everyone honest? (some places won't do separate checks).

Who doesn't do sep checks?

But as an aside...6 of you at the Cheesecake fact and only 5 are paying? You got off light imo...

[incanada1234 0]

MY only question is - who pays $6.50 for a slice of cheesecake???

[gimygirl 0]

The waitress came back with our cards (3 of us) and the cash (3) saying we were short. Total $50 in cash, and $66 in credit cards, which left about $22 short of the $138 which included the tip. So somebody who paid cash wasn't being honest. Two guys ordered beers ($4.50 a piece) and one guy's meal alone was $15 - I don't want to have to pay for his tastes. I knew the lunch was going to be costly so I ordered more conservatively and drank water. I'm pretty sure I know the culprit - I've watched him stiff on the tip more than once. I'm thinking next time one of us should take charge of the bill, collecting from each person the money, but that means that person might have to say to this cheapskate that he's not putting enough in to cover tax and tip.

are you also metrosexual by chance??