Splitting the Check

We had dinner with friends who visited us this summer in Bordeaux, and the wait staff was happy to present each couple with its own check. Not sure what that proves, either, but maybe someone will find it useful.

When we needed to do this during a trip with family members, we ran into no problem at all about having separate checks. What we did find, with some family members having multiple requests for substitutions, special orders, wanting the salad first, and being generally picky about the food not being like "home" (the US), was that the staff (often the family of the proprietor) were a bit irritated. Their smile was frozen. I didn't blame them at all. They made the (many) accomodations, but I was kind of embarrassed. This was an adult, not a kid, who was so very demanding.

This turned out to be a problem in Matera, Italy, on the Rick Steves Southern Italy tour. It might just have been that particular restaurant, but they refused to do separate checks for 3 couples and 1 single. Trying to untangle the bill ourselves was a chore. Easier among friends, but we were basically strangers.

I'll add that it's been quite easy in many other locations in Europe.

For apps, I’ve been using the free version of Splitwise when one of my daughters travel with me. (I pay our lodging; everything else we’re both paying our own.)

It works well pre-trip while I’m buying activity reservations or purchasing both of our flights. During the trip, we flip who is paying for meals, etc. when the app says one is about €100 more than the other person. We have similar eating habits, so we’re not keeping track of who ate what at a meal.

@Judy, whew, that is one experience I would be avoiding for future meals & trips! I’d seriously rather eat alone than with someone who is being insensitive to restaurant owners & staff. And if their home country food is better (ha!), why are they traveling? ; ).

@LizinPA, thanks for the reminder to have an idea of what my order amount will be during my upcoming RS Prague/Budapest tour. (I can take a photo of the menu.). I ordered some cash, although I usually pay with ApplePay. I figured it would be easier when eating with someone else to have the option to give them cash if we’re unable to split a dinner bill.

Yes, Jean, a good reminder to myself, too!
I haven't been getting much cash on my recent trips, and my next trip is Greece. The article posted by the OP mentions Greece being problematic.

I’d seriously rather eat alone than with someone who is being insensitive to restaurant owners & staff.

Judy and Jean - a million times this !! (I would like to think this is how I always felt and acted - but since I have now been married for 18 years to a guy who works in a restaurant to make his living, I am perhaps overly sensitive.)

Splitwise sounds like it would have been a great option for me and m'y sister-in-law when we spent a week together in August with her daughters / my nieces. Then again, I was happy to subsidize their trip in a teeny tiny way by helping pay the way for more than just "my" share of lodging. But a good tip to keep in mind for the future.

My 2 travel mates and I had the same issue in Romania where they would not (or could not?) split the check. Sometimes if we asked, the server would divide the check for each person and you would pay the specific amount. It was a bit cumbersome, though, because the three of us had to figure out what we each got and then factor in the tip and then let the server know the exact amount each of us were paying. The server would then run it through the machine, and we would pay our separate amount owed.

But there were a few times when the server was not able to do that, so usually one of us would pay with a credit card, and the other two would reimburse the payer with cash. It got a little confusing at times, but it all worked out in the end. 😊

Back in the days of cash when I went on holiday with friends we just used a kitty for food and group expenses. Everyone would pay the same amount in at the start of the trip and as necessary to top it up throughout the trip. The money was then used to pay the bill at the end of a meal or for drinks. If someone chose to have something particularly expensive they would add a bit extra but it basically worked itself out.

Not so easy to do with credit cards.