Dave Smith wrote:

> On 2018-01-09 4:55 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>
> > Now, if the other person orders a lot out of line with me I'd be
> > very disappointed if they didn't attempt to make up for that.Â* It's
> > a good reason not to order a bunch of extras if you want to split
> > the bill.Â* I would never let that slide if it was me doing the
> > most of the ordering, it would be my cue it was my turn to pay the
> > bill.
>
> Indeed. If you are planning to split the check you should try to
> match the other couple. If they want to go straight to the entree,
> don't order an appetizer. If they are happy with one glass of wine,
> don't go ordering a second or third bottle.
>
>
> > The guy's a jerk but I'd also rather not go out all the time with
> > "Tony" who's keeping score, either.Â* Maybe he's been burned by jerk
> > before.Â* Who knows.
>
> I am betting on the latter. This is an issue for the woman because it
> happens all the time. He husband is upset because he has been called
> on his chiseling ways. He is whining about people being cheap, but he
> is the one who always orders more and he is the one who is always
> expecting others to subsidize him.
>
>
> I can think of a worse case. A couple I know who went on vacation to
> an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean. The wife drinks very
> moderately and the husband does not drink at all. Friends of theirs
> went to the same island but stayed elsewhere. The other couple are
> both successful lawyers and are high rollers. Instead of eating at
> the all inclusive, for which they had already paid, these guys went
> out for dinner everything with the high living lawyers. The lawyers
> would order a couple bottles of very expensive wine.
>
> The couple I knew were a little miffed about having to split the bill
> and pay for the very expensive wine they did not even drink. I am
> wondering how they even get themselves into a situation. It would be
> bad enough that it happened once, but apparently it was every night.
> They could have eaten a meal they had already paid for in the all
> inclusive, but instead, they ended up paying for meals elsewhere and
> subsidizing a couple who are much better off than they are.

That would have upset me too, but I'd have stopped it. They could come
to my place and pay for what they ordered.

Keeping up with the Jones's can be very silly.

When I take my friends out, we all know most of them are on social
security only and counting pennies at times. They in turn know I'm not
at all 'rich' but want to treat them to something fun maybe 2-3 times a
year that is *different* for them.

The last place was a Middle Eastern sort with Shwarmas and a salad so
big, it fed all of us. Once I saw it, I asked for small bowls of all
of their different dressings and we had fun testing them all.

I am looking at a new place that has Brazillian cooked 3lb whole
chicken (14.99) and some interesting sides for the next trip. It will
cost me about 30$ but this time, feed 6 at our lunch eating levels I
bet. Simple pure fun (and my daughter is 1 of the 6 so we are 2 for me
to pay for anyways).

I will let my friends catch the tip (grin).

Carol