To split or not to split — that is the age-old question when it comes to dining out with friends. Attitudes on this topic differ: some say split equally, some want to pay only for what they ate, and others gladly cover their friends’ bill. But the issue remains: about 33% of Gen Z consumers say that shared expenses are a big source of stress and anxiety.
This woman got into a pickle when her “friend” assumed she would always pick up the bill. When she refused, she was called selfish and accused of being cheap. “I have kids, you don’t. You can afford it,” was her excuse. Yet when both of them refused to pay, the waitstaff started threatening to call the cops if no one planned to pay.
A lunch with a yoga buddy turned into an awkward nightmare for this woman
Image credits: TGordievskaya / Envato (not the actual photo)
The “friend” assumed she would always pay the bill, since she didn’t have kids and “could afford it”
Image credits: Pressmaster / Envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: thetapie
People may say they’re okay with splitting the bill equally, but many secretly wish they could pay for their own food only
Image credits: Egor Gordeev / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Money matters even in friendships, and this story is the perfect example of why talking about it is crucial. Many of us find it awkward talking about money with our friends, but daring to do so may save us from many a complicated situation.
A UK survey shows that only 4 in 10 Brits feel comfortable discussing money matters with friends. What’s more, women also find it harder than men. Only 39% of British women say they have no problem talking about money with their friends, while 50% of men say the same.
When it comes to dining together, people’s opinions are split. According to a 2021 YouGov poll, 47% of Brits prefer to go Dutch when dining with friends, and 42% would rather pay for their own food. There’s no one right answer, of course, but that’s where communication comes in. If you would rather just pay for your half, that’s what you should tell your friends.
Research actually shows that many people may lie about being okay with splitting the bill equally. According to a 2024 Bankrate survey, 78% of U.S. consumers would much rather pay only their share of the food. This does seem fair, especially when your friends are ordering more meals or pricier food than you are.
Imagine you’re at a restaurant with a friend group and you all decide to split the bill equally. Perhaps you’re not as hungry as your friends or aren't in the best financial situation, so you only order a snack and a coffee. It definitely seems unfair to cover your friends’ steaks, pizzas, and desserts, but it would be too awkward to refuse splitting the bill now, wouldn’t it?
Research shows that we’re selfish diners: when someone else is paying, we’re ordering more and pricier food
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
If this is just a one-time thing, then that’s no problem. However, some friends may take advantage of the opportunity and get something pricier than they could afford — all because you’re all splitting the bill evenly and they know their fancier meal will be covered by their friends.
Research actually shows that people tend to do that. In 2004, researchers from the University of Chicago found that the cost of a group meal is higher when the bill is split. When paying individually, people tend to order 1.67 dishes on average. When they’re going Dutch, the meal costs 36% more.
Perhaps the most important thing the researchers found was that people tend to get pretty greedy when given the chance for a free meal. Participants in the 2004 study ordered an average of 3 meals, and the cost of their dinners rose by a whopping 220%.
The entitled mom in this story did the same thing: she saw the chance for a free meal and decided to pamper herself. If the women had a deal to alternate covering the bill each time they had lunch, perhaps that would’ve felt fairer. Unfortunately, it’s clear who was the jerk in this situation, and it’s reflected pretty well in the commenters’ reactions, too.
When asked why she didn’t just stay her ground and not pay, the woman said she wasn’t sure she wouldn’t get in trouble
The majority of the commenters sided with the woman, blaming both the entitled mom and the server
However, some called the OP out for not tipping
