Going out with your friends is well and good until you see that your “friends” have a poor idea of splitting the bill. For some, a dinner feast may not be a wallet pinch, but for many the bill can be far too much to pay for. Remiandaryan, a single mother and TikToker, recently posted about her frustration regarding this topic. She faced a horrible situation where a meal with her group of friends cost a significant $150. However, even if she took far less than her companions, she was still asked to split the bill evenly. Does that make her an evil person?
In her TikTok, Remiandaryan gives the caption: “Never eat in a group without discussing the budget first.” She then begins by reminding her viewers of a similar story of one paying for their own bill only after a group meal. The story was of a guy at a birthday party. He was not acquainted with anyone there, and everyone was ordering pricey items. So, when he had to visit the bathroom, he only paid for the items he took. When he came back, though, his partner as well as everyone else regarded it as a rude and embarrassing gesture.
Splitting The Bill Is A True Test Of Friendship
She then went into her own story. It was a birthday dinner, and the only friend she knew there was a relatively well-off model. She explains that she really does not have any money, so she found a coupon for the place they were visiting. However, she explains that she lives in a friend’s million-dollar house. But they are not related, so OP remains confused as to why it happened. Anyway, the night goes on, and people come and go. She assumed everyone left their share of the money with the friend when they left.
Remiandaryan then explains that they were enjoying the night. She ordered water, no dessert, and an unsavory piece of fillet mignon. It was so unappetizing that she had to go to the bathroom to wash her mouth. Meanwhile, her friend had called over the manager. This was what awaited her: “I come out and he’s saying he’ll comp my meal. So I’m thinking, okay, so I’ll just pay the $25 for my friend, right? Wrong. They wanted me to pay $150. $150. When I just got the basic $50 meal. Plus I had the buy one get one free coupon, you know, to be used on me and the birthday girl. So it should have been $25 for her tops if I’m paying for her meal. But because those people left and did not pay for their meals, suddenly I’m supposed to float this bill.”
The Predicament Was Astonishingly Embarrassing
Unfortunately, she did not have that much in her account since it was a few days off till she got her next pay. So she had to write a check. As such, when she refused to pay any more than $50, her friend became quite irritated. The TikToker was hurt and confused as to why a friend would spring this financial burden on her without discussing it. Moreover, she did not even eat anything there. However, she had not said anything at the moment. While recalling though, she realized her “friend” had acted similarly with her on “many other things.”
In the end, she advises to only go for dinner with anyone if splitting the bill has already been discussed. Moreover, she even thinks that, if there’s a pre-determined limit, it should be paid in advance to the person in charge. There is also the option of letting the restaurant know beforehand about the group so that they can prepare separate bills.
The story only seems to show how many adults, who are financially and personally competent, still need help with basic concepts of courtesy such as splitting the bill. Honestly, the question rather seems to be if these people are even friends of OP. Should not a friend have the basic consideration and understanding about their companion’s financial situation? Moreover, for a birthday, the pay goes one of two ways: either everyone, apart from the special person, chips in to give the treat, or the person invites everyone and finances everyone’s meal. OP’s situation seems weird on so many levels.
Entitlement Was The Real Issue
In OP’s case, it is probably the feeling of entitlement that the friend carried with her that is the issue. Remiandaryan was the guest, after all. How a guest is even asked to pay for a meal they are invited to? The people on the Internet, however, were extremely supportive of the TikToker.
One comment read: “My favorite is when they order the most expensive stuff expecting you to pay and you say separate checks please. I get asked to hang out a lot less.” Another said: “I wish people would realize that if they want a bday dinner, they need to HOST their bday dinner, meaning PAY.” A third explained: “Anybody who gets mad because one person paid for their own meal just wanted a discount.” A fourth pointed out: “I’m not cheap, but it really bugs me when people order extra extra extra bottles of wine, dessert and then they want to split the bill.”
What do you think of the situation? Let us know in the comments below!
Sources
- ““I Have No Money”: Single Mom Receives $150 Bill, Becomes The “Bad Guy” When She Refuses To Pay.” Bored Panda. Justin Sandberg and Ilona Baliūnaitė. January 29, 2024.