Infuriating: those people who pay the bill separately
Adeline loves food, lots of it and often, both at home and out. Usually, that goes well, but sometimes it doesn’t. In the series Eddie’s Food Frustrations she shares her surprises. This week, she is baffled by all those people who pay separately.
Everyone wanted to pay separately
The other day, I was eating some divine cod with mustard sauce at Café Restaurant Amsterdam, and less than a metre and a half away, it was happening live. The group next to us consisted of six people and everyone wanted to pay separately. Meaning: settle their own share of the bill one-on-one with the waiter.
I was a little stunned. Do people really still do that in 2025? Apparently so, and it did seem like such a cosy table.
Afraid of being ripped off
What is actually your motivation for wanting to swipe your own phone or card through the mobile payment terminal? I don’t get it. Is it a feeling of self-determination? Like: look at me, I paid for my own food, mwa-ha-ha! Maybe you’re afraid of being ripped off by your dining companion? Then I’d advise you not to go out to eat with them at all. Do you find it conveniently easy this way? Well, it isn’t.
Administrative hassle
The waiter in question has to account for your entire administrative hassle in a computer system that doesn’t understand it. Even though it can be so simple. For anyone who has been living under a rock for the past decade: these days, you have payment requests. They are extremely simple digital requests for payment, with which you settle your own share of a bill. It is extremely effective for asking for your money back, and you also have the chance to chat a little longer about the evening. I see nothing but advantages.
Your own share first
“Can we all pay separately?” was always the killer when I worked in hospitality, when it came to closing out the till at the end of the evening. On top of that, nothing slows down your work more than this little stunt, except everyone ordering a different complicated coffee. My point is: you come to eat together, right? So why not pay together? And do you know what makes my toes curl an extra centimetre? When someone leaves early and has already paid their own share. What’s that about?
Going Dutch
The sad thing is that we have become so skilled at splitting the bill here that we are known for it worldwide. I know countries where people fight to pay the bill for one another, which I find a little excessive too. But it can’t hurt to learn something from them. For example, you never see Greeks take turns walking to the till to settle their share. Going Dutch—they don’t know it. Or standing around the till in a group; it’s unthinkable.
The deadbeat in the group
Disclaimer: if you have such a deadbeat in your group of friends that you have to wait a thousand years for a payment request, then of course you have a legitimate reason to pay separately. But that is the only reason. I would even use it as an excuse if you ask for a split bill. Bet the waiter will understand?
Read also:
- Eddie’s food frustrations: that the food abroad is better, but I live here
- Eddie’s food frustrations: such a pretentious waiter at the table
- Eddie’s food frustrations: wet tea bags lying around
