What is the best and fairest way to split a bill

[teetee]

The old problem of splitting a bill in a restuarant. Talking about this with coleagues today and so many differing opinions and permutations. Who had what to drink, I only had a main etc.

Whats your view?

[Scunner]

I prefer to eat with people who don't calculate that I had the pilau rice and they only had the plain rice. If that happens it is unlikely I will find myself in the same situation again with them. Things like that can spoil what might have been a good evening. I will offer to pay more if we have the kids with us and others don't or similar, but in the main a simple 50/50 or whatever it is.

[Steve (redding43)]

I'm with Keith on this one. Nothing more embarrassing than when someone pulls out a calculator.

I don't mind paying more than my fair share so any simple divvy up such as equal splits work for me.

Life's too short...

[Big Doug]

Agree with Keith

[Steve (redding43)]

I might point out that I have a different rule for Big Doug - being my brother and all! Happy for him to pay entirely

[marina]

We try and avoid like the plague people who insist on only paying for what they've had, i.e. you've had two drinks I've only had one, you had dessert I didn't, that kind of thing.  It can ruin a good night out for us.  We don't mind chipping in a bit extra if we've had something a bit more expensive off the menu but generally we split it between everyone present! 

[hillside]

Here here - 50/50 unless I decide to have an extra (bottle) of wine . Cant stand all that ' you've had I starter and I didnt have a dessert' type people. Hate going out with folk who I know are watching the bill all the time. Also dont like going out for a meal with people who I know have struggled financially so have treated in the past - to now find that they think the bill is on us every time... !!

[quackers]

Yep 50/50 works well for me.

[Marggie]

50/50 always.

[cheers]

50/50 for me as well unless we have something really expensive and then offer to pay more.  I would only go out with the calculator crowd once