Let's Take a Day Trip

If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the tired, drawn-out, overdone conversations about a group of friends going out to eat and what and how much people should pay.

Granted, this is a travel website, but since people tend to travel together – what do you do if this conversation happens while on a trip?

Let’s discuss this topic, and hopefully, when you and your group of friends travel somewhere unique or around the corner for a group brunch or dinner – you will have this post as a guide.

Plan and read the room – transparency is critical

Like in previous posts, I cannot stress the importance of planning. If you and your friends are going out to eat, you can plan by knowing how much your bill might be by checking out the menu before going to the restaurant. 

Example: Suppose a party of seven agrees on an upscale soul-food restaurant in Chicago. Please don’t focus on the location; this website is Chicago-centric since that’s where I’m from.

Once the restaurant is agreed upon, everyone can look at the menu on the website and know how much their meal will be. Additionally, this is an excellent opportunity to go to the bank and get cash. 

Cash is essential because most restaurants prefer to avoid splitting checks – however, if everyone has cash, they can adequately pay their bill. Additionally, when you get money, be sure to get change. Don’t just withdraw a few 20s or 100s out of the ATM. It would be best to get various change: 5’s, 10’s, and singles.

The reality is you or others in your party may not have the available credit or cash on a debit/credit card to pay for the entire balance of a check over $1000 – and despite what social media tells you – that’s fine. 

Even if you or your friends “got it like that,” it’s not required that you or others take that bill. You might want to use your card for other things.

Nevertheless, having cash with a mix of bills and planning ahead by checking out the menu will help you and your party prepare for this outing and avoid this conversation. 

The transparency part of this is discussing ahead of what precisely the expectations are. If the plan is for everyone to use one person’s card and everyone will pay that person – that should be decided on well before you all make it to the restaurant. 

Additionally, it should be stated – in case it needs to be clarified further – everyone pays for THEIR meal – unless it’s agreed upon someone’s meal will be covered because they’re being celebrated.

For example, let’s say it’s my best friend’s birthday, and I decide I’m covering his tab – or we as a group will cover his tab – that will be agreed upon beforehand. 

Or if I’m in a relationship – so I’m covering my and my girlfriend’s bill – that will be expressed ahead of time too. 

Other than special circumstances like those mentioned, everyone is paying for their part of the bill, and that’s that.

You bought it – you’re paying, and that’s final.

People on social media will discuss things like etiquette and what it means to go out with a group, and sadly, they’re wrong. Yes, I agree. I don’t want to argue at a restaurant with my friends about the check – which is why I wrote the paragraphs above – so that’s true, and it’s unnecessary. 

Nevertheless, it is ridiculous for someone to think just because we are all together as a group, it’s someone else’s responsibility to pay extra on the bill to cover the tab.

What if I’m the designated driver, and I just ordered short ribs, mac and cheese, and cornbread with a strawberry lemonade? My total is roughly $35, and I tip $20 because I loved the food and service. 

You’re saying I should pay more on the bill because everyone ordered shots, wine, and other alcoholic beverages, and I don’t drink? That’s silly – just like this discussion, but I am writing about it here. 

Going out with friends is just that – experiencing each other and enjoying the vibe – not paying for their food. 

We’re all in different tax brackets and that’s okay

I will say this until the cows go home: we’re all in different tax brackets, and that’s okay. Or the more accurate statement would be: we’re primarily in the same tax bracket but manage our money differently and have different situations.

Do not allow these senseless social media conversations to define you and how you’re supposed to do a simple task like going out to eat with your friends.

With everything – planning and communicating goes a long way. So use this guide, enjoy your meal with your group, and pay your bill!