How to split food and drink bills with friends without feeling cheated?

Is there really a right way to split a bill? You could try some of these

Money is a tricky issue — even among friends and co-workers. Everyone has faced situations where splitting food or drink bills has brought a conflict or an awkward moment. Is there really a right way to split a bill? There’s no possible right answer. But you could try any of the following:

Ask for separate bills

If you want to be absolutely fair while splitting the bill, do what the westerners do. Samant Sikka, founder, Sqrrl, an investment app, says: “Ask for an individual check. It is common in the developed world, especially Europe, to do so. That means, if there are four people on the table, they get four checks and they pay for whatever they have had. That’s how they do it abroad and it’s the most equitable way to split the tab because each person pays for his or her share of the bill.” 

This way, a salad eater won’t end up paying for someone’s Tandoori and a couple of beers. But what if you are too embarrassed to suggest this? Mrin Agarwal, financial educator and money mentor, and the founder of Finsafe, says: “You be the one calling for the bill and ask the waiter to give you all separate bills. So, that way, you automatically convey to others on the table — they will get the hint.” It’s extra work for the waiter but at least it’s fair for everyone at the table. This is a good strategy to use: Even if out go the people you may not be too close to.

Split the bill equally

This, also known as “going Dutch” in India, is perhaps the most popular way we split a bill. Though internationally “going Dutch” means splitting the bill individually, and not equally. If it’s a close group of friends, it’s quite possible that most at the table won’t calculate how much each person owes and don’t mind paying a little more or less when the bill is split equally. This could work well when everyone at the table has ordered more or less the dishes equivalent in price. But, if there’s someone who has drunk four beers and another who has gulped down four single malts, dividing the bill equally might not go down very well with everyone. Agarwal says: “If it’s a close group of friends, having the conversation regarding how the bill will be split will be easy. In the beginning itself, decide if the food bill can be split equally, and the drinks can be paid for individually. The problem is that we shy away from having these conversations and it’s difficult to say “no” once the bill comes.”

Take turns paying

Those who frequently eat out together and mostly at restaurants with similar prices can take turns to pay. This keeps bill-paying simple and works well for two. 

One pays and gets paid back

Here, you take the entire tab, and your companion pays you back, either at the table or later. More often, in such a case, the person who pays the full check is paid back in cash or via Paytm transfer. With friends, you can always remind them about the money they owe you, but with a coworker it could become a little tricky. 

Shambhivi, a Bengaluru-based advertisement professional, says: “At one of my former workplaces, a senior coworker invited me and two more guests for an after-work meal. None apart from this senior coworker had drinks. After a few drinks she passed off and I, a newbie, had to pay the bill along with the other two guests. I had not even had my first salary yet. I never got my money back from this senior coworker.”

When you hang out with friends, it’s one thing, but when it comes to office colleagues, it’s another ball game altogether. Gayatri Jayaraman, author of Poor, who me?, says: “How to split the bill can be a huge problem for workers, especially if they are new at work and going out with seniors for unofficial meals. When the senior says, “let’s go out” newbies are not yet acquainted with the work culture of a particular office. With friends, you can say I don’t have the money, but it’s awkward when it’s a work situation; you don’t know how this will pan out. They can’t say no to the invitation because the whole team is going out if the senior has called them. They end up paying by credit card and end up in debt.” The truth is, even if you are not a newbie, you can’t avoid every unofficial work get-together. Else, you would either not be seen as a team player or you miss out on things. After all, many serious work discussions happen over casual dinners. 

Jayaraman says, “Typically the person who has sent the invite and chosen the restaurant should take the initiative to split the bill in a fair way. Splitting equally is not always fair. Or communicate while inviting how the bill will be settled.” 

No matter which of the ways stated above you use, there will always be freeloaders who will expect you to pay. They will either need to visit the bathroom when the bill arrives, or they will order only steamed rice when a large group goes to a sea food place, and then taste just one bit of everyone’s fish dish and end up eating a full meal. And they will pay for only steamed rice. And then there also are those who keep forgetting their wallet or cards. In the latter case, apps could be a good solution. 

You might already be using the split fare option on Uber. There are a number of apps that work extremely well to share cost and split bills — Splitwise, Divvy and Venmo to name a few. 

Tips: Sometimes, it’s not the food bill but the tip as well that is difficult to split equally. Just ask everyone to throw in whatever they are comfortable with. No one should be forced to tip — except the regular freeloader maybe. No harm in making him pay the tip and then avoid him for all future dine-outs.