Best way to avoid over spending when out for a meal with family

Pollycat

yvonne13 wrote: »

I tried to and the restaurant said no, we all came together so we would be issued one bill.:eek:

I can see this from the restaurant's viewpoint, but surely there was nothing to stop you saying that you weren't willing to subsidise other people's children (why on earth would somebody take children to a work outing?) or workmates who wanted starters/sweets/drinks that you weren't having.

Pollycat

chanie wrote: »

2) at works leaving do, pretty much everyone ordered a meal and a cocktail, and when we split the bill, it should have been £25 each. Either somebody didn't pay or the staff in the restaurant stole some money because we were short. I ended up having to pay an extra £10 as some people just pretended they hadn't heard when we were asking for more money from everyone.

This is the problem with splitting the bill right down to the last penny.

Lots of people forget about the coffee they've had or maybe the odd aperitif or the garlic bread that just appears on the table but is charged for on the bill.

I doubt the restaurant staff stole the money, more likely somebody missed something off their portion of the bill and put in less than they should have done.

PasturesNew

The real tight gits are the ones who are saying "split the bill" as they KNOW they were the greediest ones, with the most expensive meal and the most drinks ..... yet they put the label onto the person who isn't as rude/wealthy as them and who wants to pay for what they had. Greedy bullies are the ones who snatch the bill and declare "split it.."

pigpen

The same happened with OH when he went to his friends birthday meal a week before christmas!! Just what you need.. to be another £15 down in December!

When we go en masse.. there have been up to 30+ of us together.. We are all gannets so usually all have 3 courses.. but I have the children who dont drink other than pop.. and a glass of lemonade costs way less than a pint of guinness so we buy our own drinks and have just the food on the tab.. I usually there is enough advance warning of such an event to enable me to budget the money.. usually about £100 for 10 of us and that is more than enough to cover food and drinks.. if anyone asks for more I say no.. justified by the fact mine all have childrens meals which are £3-£4 cheaper than adult meals and also often include a dessert and we drink lemonade..

What does grate a little is when we go and my mother pays for herself and my 2 sisters and I pay for myself.. my sisters are both adults and should pay for their own meals too!

Pollycat

pigpen wrote: »

What does grate a little is when we go and my mother pays for herself and my 2 sisters and I pay for myself.. my sisters are both adults and should pay for their own meals too!

Some people are just born to take advantage of the generosity of others.

But it's really up to your Mum to stop it.
Or you could bring it out into the open by saying 'As you always pay for my 2 sisters, Mum, you might as well pick up the whole tab'.

You don't say if your sisters' financial circumstances are different to yours.

For example, my Mum pays for my sister but I always like to pay for myself.
It doesn't bother me because I know money is tight for my sister and I often treat her myself.

gunsandbanjos

yvonne13 wrote: »

I tried to and the restaurant said no, we all came together so we would be issued one bill.:eek:

Not sure what the :eek:is for? Thats generally how it works in restaurants, it would be a nightmare to issue everyone a separate bill. If you want that go to McDonalds.
Just paying for yourself shouldnt be an issue even if the restaurant put everything on one bill, surely you know what you had? Just add up what is yours on the bill + tip and leave that and let everyone else sort their own out.
I've been stung once or twice in the lets all just split the bill scenario, you live and learn.

katie89

yvonne13 wrote: »

Why do you have to go out? Was this planned ahead? If you cannot afford it just say and tell your dad that you will cook him a birthday meal at home.

What about what OP's father wants for his birthday?

I'd call your parents, explain the situation, and tell them you will only be paying for what you eat.

jellyhead

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

Not sure what the :eek:is for? Thats generally how it works in restaurants, it would be a nightmare to issue everyone a separate bill. If you want that go to McDonalds.
Just paying for yourself shouldnt be an issue even if the restaurant put everything on one bill, surely you know what you had? Just add up what is yours on the bill + tip and leave that and let everyone else sort their own out.
I've been stung once or twice in the lets all just split the bill scenario, you live and learn.

The bill will probably be itemised anyhow, so it's easy to see what you've had.

I just add up my family's food bill and add a tip, but pay in notes or pound coins rather than to the last penny.

Last time we went out an aunt of mine was quite pennypinching and wanted change from what she put on the table. Everyone else was a bit embarassed about that, because they all paid to the nearest note because it's 'what they do' .... my mum had to get coins from her purse to give change, but often people just go to a cashpoint then turn up for the meal without any coins on them and put their drinks on the bill.

People who drink a fair bit of alcohol and put it no the tab would see splitting the bill as being a bit like people buying rounds, and would be less likely to consider counting their exact bill. I don't drink and the generosity of drinkers and willingness to subsidise each other surprises me sometimes. From their point of view, splitting the bill is not being greedy or taking advantage at all.

rachbc

my gosh I'm glad my friends aren't like you lot - we always split the bill equally and its only ever been a problem for one person - we don't ask him anymore. Sometimes I drink, other times not, sometimes I only have a main others not but it all works out in the end. I'd always rather someone didn't come than caused fuss about the bill, especially on someones birthday - and if I can't afford it I won't go. If you can't afford it - don't go and invite your dad round for a meal another time.

victory

yvonne13 wrote: »

They are already planning the Christmas dinner at work already. They want me to pay £66.00 (They must be cooking the food with gold)

Crumbs I thought mine was steep at £28 but that did include drinks:D