large booking at restaurant- how to split the bill?

Homeownertobe

onlyroz wrote: »

And so instead you have the discussion before you eat. But the discussion still needs to be had. And you still have to contend with "po faced" and "miserable" people "spoiling the fun" of those who want to eat more than them.

I don't think you understand how dining out works if you think McDonald's is in any way similar.

Unless McDonald's has started table service and bringing out starters, mains, sides and desserts at different times? No? There you go.

Feral_Moon

onlyroz wrote: »

And so instead you have the discussion before you eat. But the discussion still needs to be had. And you still have to contend with "po faced" and "miserable" people "spoiling the fun" of those who want to eat more than them.

Why on earth would that be the case? People buy what they want to eat and it doesn't make any difference what anyone else buys to eat.

Are you seriously suggesting that if I was to order just a burger and someone else was to order burger, fries, chilli cheese bites and a BK fusion that it would affect me eating my own burger in the slightest? Don't be so ridiculous :rotfl:

onlyroz

Homeownertobe wrote: »

I don't think you understand how dining out works if you think McDonald's is in any way similar.

Unless McDonald's has started table service and bringing out starters, mains, sides and desserts at different times? No? There you go.

My point is that there are many ways to eat out and enjoy people's company - they are all equally valid, and all involve individuals making choices about how much to eat, and how much they need to contribute towards the total cost.

onlyroz

Feral_Moon wrote: »

Why on earth would that be the case? People buy what they want to eat and it doesn't make any difference what anyone else buys to eat.

Are you seriously suggesting that if I was to order just a burger and someone else was to order burger, fries, chilli cheese bites and a BK fusion that it would affect me eating my own burger in the slightest? Don't be so ridiculous :rotfl:

No, I've not suggested that at all (hence me putting the ridiculous phrases in quotes in my post) - but some other posters have quite clearly said that their own meal would be ruined unless everybody at the table had the same number of courses.

Feral_Moon

onlyroz wrote: »

No, I've not suggested that at all (hence me putting the ridiculous phrases in quotes in my post) - but some other posters have quite clearly said that their own meal would be ruined unless everybody at the table had the same number of courses.

Oh ok, my apologies. I've lost track of who said what now

AubreyMac

Despite having dined in the ritz and the fat duck and lot of fancy places, I actually really like mcdonalds. They do some of the best food!! I love going to macs whenever I'm abroad to try their version of things. The common stuff like the big mac and fries taste the same around the world but when I went Hong Kong they do breakfast muffins all day and had grape ice cream.


My favourite pizza joint is pizza hut, they are proper pizzas and their crust is tasty enough to eat. Trendy places like Franco Manca (I don't know if you get them outside London) has no topping and the sourdough base is too chewy.


KFC do the best hot wings, you used to get 3 for 99p but now you only get 2 for 99p


I absolutely hate wetherspoons, I have never been to a good one. It always looks dirty and the clientele that goes in there looks the same. Their drinks are often flat too.

BarryBlue

Feral_Moon wrote: »

Nothing whatsoever to do with snobbery, not on my behalf anyway. I don't actually like anything McDonalds or KFC have to offer. And I don't eat take-away pizza from anywhere. I'd rather buy an Artisan sourdough crust one from the local Co-op for £4/£5 and cook it myself!

I do, however, like some of the burgers from BK, especially the Whopper! I may have one every month or so if I happen to be passing and use the drive-thru. I never eat in the restaurant itself, purely because I've always got my dog with me.

Same with me really. I can't stand any of those greasy burgers from places like BK or McD's. KFC chicken is also too greasy for me, we prefer one of the peri-peri chicken places that seem to be appearing now.

It would not be entirely true to say we 'never' use any such places though. We have on the odd occasion used a McD for a coffee stop on the way home from a music gig in the early hours, and in fairness the coffee isn't too bad. We never eat there though.

The only BK I can recall using in many years is the one in Casemates Square, Gibraltar. We go there because it has good free wifi for my wife, and we get ice cream sundaes and sit in the quiet upstairs lounge overlooking the square for a half hour's rest.

mumps

The whole thing about people not being able to enjoy themselves if others aren't eating as much as them/as many courses as them takes me back to the 70s and alcohol. I had much pressure applied to make me drink alcohol, I know the Police was a heavy drinking culture back then but I did experience the same with other groups but must confess it was a real issue at police get togethers.

It was explained to me that it was because I made others feel guilty not because they wanted me to relax/enjoy myself or any of the other reasons I was given.

Is it the same with food, does it make you feel uncomfortable if you are eating a 1000 calorie pud and someone else doesn't join in?

AubreyMac

onlyroz wrote: »

but some other posters have quite clearly said that their own meal would be ruined unless everybody at the table had the same number of courses.

I've not read every post but I think things like this comes down to culture and differing table manners.


If I'm with others and nobody is ordering a starter, I may not order one too. It can be awkward to be eating ahead/behind everyone else. This of course depends on who I'm with though, with my usual friends we are relaxed so it's ok to eat more/less. I've even been with friends who I (or they) are not hungry so only one will eat while the other just has a drink, obviously it's never planned this way.


Another thing people do which annoys me, no matter how relaxed we feel in each others company, is when they reach over to grab something nearest to me (but further away from them). Like a shared platter of chips someone opposite me may reach to grab the chip nearest to me.


Perhaps table manners should be a separate thread but I think people these days are not taught the basics of this. It's amazing and sad how many people will just play on their phone during a meal or start tucking in before everyone elses meal has arrived.

mumps

AubreyMac wrote: »

I've not read every post but I think things like this comes down to culture and differing table manners.


If I'm with others and nobody is ordering a starter, I may not order one too. It can be awkward to be eating ahead/behind everyone else. This of course depends on who I'm with though, with my usual friends we are relaxed so it's ok to eat more/less. I've even been with friends who I (or they) are not hungry so only one will eat while the other just has a drink, obviously it's never planned this way.


Another thing people do which annoys me, no matter how relaxed we feel in each others company, is when they reach over to grab something nearest to me (but further away from them). Like a shared platter of chips someone opposite me may reach to grab the chip nearest to me.


Perhaps table manners should be a separate thread but I think people these days are not taught the basics of this. It's amazing and sad how many people will just play on their phone during a meal or start tucking in before everyone elses meal has arrived.

If I am "hosting" a meal out I always suggest people start their meals rather than waiting. I hate lukewarm food and if there is a big crowd, maybe 20 or so, the first people to be served might have cold food by the time everyone's food has arrived. Nice if everyone gets served quickly but it doesn't always happen.