another splitting the bill thread (a question)

JodyBPM

It seems to be the children's meals that are causing confusion - presumably OP would do (bill amount-£100)/no of persons present if all attendees were adults.

Given that there are 2 children of an age where they are likely to have their own kids meal, and two who are likely not to, then since childrens' meals are typically £3.99 including drink and dessert, then its likely that the difference re including/not including them in this instance would be 72.5p per person. Even if all 4 children ate a child's meal of their own it would only work out at £1.45 per person. So I think that its safe to say that its a small enough amount that you could just split in the same way you would if no children were going, especially considering Granny has already subsidised the adults to the tune of nearly £10 per head!

If anyone kicks up about the bill splitting/paying for children, I'd simply say pay for your own in full if you'd prefer, and we'll split the rest, minus granny's £100 between those who are happy to split the bill, because obviously all those who would object to subsidising a child to the tune of a few pence would surely not be happy to accept a subsidy from granny of their own...

Nada666

Really? This thread exists? I apologise, but, really?

andygb

browneyedbazzi wrote: »

I hate these types of things because it always feels like someone loses out (usually whoever isn't drinking). I grew up in Canada where it's pretty common to ask for separate bills so people pay for what they actually have rather than small eaters subsidising the person who likes the most expensive thing on the menu. That way if you're a bit tight for cash you can order something based on your budget and not be worried about what others do.

In your situation I would be tempted to use the money offered by your grandmother to pay for drinks and/or desserts (depending on how much you all drink and the prices where you're going) and for the remainder people get separate bills and pay for what they had.

If we go to these type of outings, then my missus and I always draw the short straw, particularly where certain people are concerned. We have a couple of friends who drink like fish, whereas I often drive (so stick to one soft drink) and my OH only has one glass of wine.
Inevitably the people who drink four to five glasses of wine/beer also have dessert and coffee (something which I can never manage).
I am now fed up subsidising them to the tune of £15 extra at every meal.
I reckon it would be better to pay your own bill individually, and then share the £100 out.

londonsurrey

I'd split it 11 ways between the non-granny adults, after the £100 has been deducted.

flea72

Use grannies money to buy her meal and the drinks. Everyone else pays for their food

When going out as a mixed group like this, we always choose a restaurant that does a fixed price menu, that way theres no arguing when you need to split the bill, nor getting calculators out

thorsoak

Granny has already said that she wants to pay £100 towards the cost of the meal. In order not to make a big performance out of paying for the remainder of the meal, just divide the balance between 6 (with mum and uncle paying 1/6th between them). The cost of the children's meals will be balanced out by the additional cost of adults' drinks, I'm sure.

Why do people make such a drama out of these situations? If it is essential that they pay only for their own meal and no more - then why attend???

Person_one

thorsoak wrote: »

Why do people make such a drama out of these situations? If it is essential that they pay only for their own meal and no more - then why attend???

Sorry, but I'm poor. I don't think that should mean I can never eat out or socialise if I can budget well enough to pay for what I have! Thankfully my friends and family don't expect me to sub them.

fluffnutter

How many of the meals is Grandma's £100 likely to be able to pay for? Is it 10% of the bill or 90% of the bill?

andy.m_2

krlyr wrote: »

Not really that complicated. I go out for dinner, order a meal and a drink (or maybe two). Cost of my meal + cost of my drink takes about 30 seconds to add (since prices are usually £x.99 I round to the pound, so maybe 8 + 3 + 3 - if it's any more complex I have my phone on me which has a calculator app, no need to carry or request a calculator!). Rest of the meal is then divided between the lot, however they see fit. For ease, I tend to whack in the same tip as everyone.

Considering the last meal I went out to with friends, I had 1 soft drink and a main, the other two each had a starter, main (one with extra sides), dessert and 3 pitchers of cocktails to share, the cost of theirs vs mine was a lot different - when it came to paying, they wouldn't even entertain the idea of me splitting the bill. While they were finishing their pitchers I just added up the two figures in my head, plus my share of the tip, chucked that in and then they decided how to split the rest between them.

Not difficult or cringeworthy really, is it.

Like I said, different people may prefer different ways. OP assumes the family are happy to split equally, but is this through genuinely not caring, or feeling pressured to keep the peace. It's relatively easy to keep everyone happy with either method and at least you've taken their opinions into consideration - the gesture is worth more than the few pounds you may be under/overpaying IMO.

Any methodology that requires 6 paragraphs to explain, and the possible use of a phone is definitely convoluted, and in the presence of family it is most definitely cringeworthy and almost bordering on offensive imo.
But then you are not my family so what does it matter.

Equal split amongst the adults present, some win, some lose by usually only a few pounds however they are family and I don't begrudge anyone in my family £2.

jackomdj

My way old be
Bill less £100 = balance/10 (nice easy number).
Then if all adults except granny put this in you will have a nice little tip.

Ie £200 bill, granny puts in £100, other 11 adults put in £10 you have £210 to cover bill and tip.

As people have said childrens meals are fairly cheap.

But only you know what your family is like.