Separate checks. DH and I are usually the lavish orderers in the group (admittedly we don’t get out much) and are always the first to request our own check. I’d never expect my friends to subsidize my meal.

Stop doing dinner with them.

Wow, so the fun friends have become users. Not so fun anymore.

You and your DH, via splitting the bill, are paying for what is essentially their carryout food disguised as part of your joint dinner.

I would either slow this to a stop, or get two checks.

Anonymous wrote:I think you just need to be honest that you’re watching what you’re ordering due to the sharp increase in food prices, but you don’t want to curb their ordering, so you should just split checks in the future so everyone has the experience they want.

Yes, do this.

Anonymous wrote:I think you just need to be honest that you’re watching what you’re ordering due to the sharp increase in food prices, but you don’t want to curb their ordering, so you should just split checks in the future so everyone has the experience they want.

This sounds diplomatic. I like it.

We always share the bill. Normally, NBD. Much more noticeable with higher prices at restaurants. At the last dinner we did a double take when the bill came out. Lately we’re confirming whether the new service fees are included before we add a tip

I think you just need to be honest that you’re watching what you’re ordering due to the sharp increase in food prices, but you don’t want to curb their ordering, so you should just split checks in the future so everyone has the experience they want.

Anonymous wrote:OP just get separate checks. The rule has changed, the servers have to put everything in the computer anyway.

Still tip really well. But it’s fine to do separate checks.

What restaurant isn’t ok with two separate bills for two couples? Stop splitting the bill. Your friends are rude.

OP just get separate checks. The rule has changed, the servers have to put everything in the computer anyway.

Are you saying they order lavishly regardless of who is paying or they order lavishly typically only when you’re footing the bill?

Personal dinners, but their attitude is as IF they are on old school corporate expense account. So the sky’s the limit!

very casually, when you're ordering, just tell the waitress that your party will do separate checks, indicating that you and DH are together.

Wait, these are personal dinners but they’re using a company expense account to pay for their half? I’m confused.

Fun friends who get together regularly. Split the tab each time, no big deal. That is until the other couple started recently ordering the priciest items on the menu and little extras throughout the meal.I’m talking the lobster every.single. time. Extra appetizers and cognacs with dessert. Ages ago they once mentioned MO of always making the most of the company expense account. Well we’re not the company with excess cash flow, prices are way up and so it’s becoming irritating to me. My observation that it seems like a lot of food are met with, oh we can take it home. Time to dial it back a bit. Just my vent to the cosmos.