When we go out with friends, my partner and I split the food and drinks bill evenly with the group, though neither of us drinks alcohol. The groups we’re part of can order multiple cocktails, bottles of wine and beers, which push the total cost up. Should we speak up and pay less, or just accept the equal split to keep the peace?
Money Moral Dilemma: Should we keep evenly splitting restaurant bills even though we don’t drink?

281 Posts

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.
Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.
If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.


0
Latest MSE News and Guides
Replies
But yes - you should split the food and coffee and soft drinks bill and then the rest of them can split the alcohol.
Had a friend we used to go out with years back who was disabled and didn't drink. Result was she would drive everyone, get preferential parking and the rest of us would pay for her meal. Much cheaper than us having to pay for taxis!
2023 £1 a day £54.26/365
If you can't tell your friends that you don't want to subsidise their booze without them taking offence, then they aren't friends of yours.
It's not that difficult to split bills these days, anyway, most establishments will do it in the blink of an eye.
Just order your own and pay directly.
I agree with above though that you shouldn’t have to pay for £20 worth of drinks when you’ve only had a £2.50 coke.
Unless there is a special occasion when everybody contributes to the Pot! Then that is a different matter altogether.
We go out every other month to a restaurant with 6 others. I don't drink alcohol, and prefer chilled water. Hubby likes one glass of whatever wine is chosen. However, I ALWAYS have a dessert (not all the others do), and both hubby and I like coffee to finish, again not all the rest do. So it's swings & roundabouts. I might add, that these are such special friends, that if we've paid extra over the years it has definitely been worth it !
Eating out with friends should be just that share a chat, laught, flirt, enjoy, not be greedy and share the bill, no fs no buts
But haggling over what drink the other had and your OH did not is a lol big time
How about one of the group eats a lot more than others or always food that is more expensive - what is the naffing point. No wonder I don't eat out with pretend friends.
Before you spend, remember the MSE Money Mantras. Ask yourself, do I need it? Can I afford it? If the answer is NO to any of those questions, DON’T buy it. (Quote from MSE 15/11/22)
Politeness & courtesy are some of the few things in life that are free. Please remember that when posting, I may ignore permanently the unpolite, tedious, unconstructive and deliberately obtuse comments. Do endeavour to follow me around the forums. Many thanks.