Anonymous wrote: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.

This! My DH and I are the same, because we both like good wine, and he’s a very big guy, so one entree isn’t enough for him - he’ll need two entrees, or the addition of sides/appetizers/dessert in order to make a complete meal. At home, I make recipes that are supposed to serve 4 and they will generally feed the two of us. I would never expect our friends who eat more modest quantities to split a bill in half with us.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Me too! Can you write a book of sample scripts for us?

Separate checks. Otherwise the resentment will ruin the friendship. If the other couple balks at this suggestion then I would stop going out with them.