We’ve all been there before- enjoying a big meal with friends at a nice restaurant when the bill comes.  That’s when the trouble begins.  Someone hasn’t brought enough cash.  Someone doesn’t want to pay for the cocktails someone else had, while someone else argues with the waitress about charges on the bill (even though they ate the entire dish they are arguing about).  And don’t forget the friend who doesn’t believe in tipping over 10%.  

I don’t know about you, but it makes me cringe!  Karen Gaudette, of the Seattle Times, describes typical dining types.  Which are you? 

The Calculator: Who whips out the cellphone to decipher the precise split based on everyone’s orders, the tax and tip.

The Moocher: Who never tosses more than a token $10 or $20 on the money pile, or lets everyone else take care of the tipping.

The Equalizer: Who insists on an even split despite vast differences in price.

The Cringer: Who subsidizes the meals of others, paying $30 for a side salad and ice water because she won’t speak up.

The Conscientious Objector: Who sees The Cringer getting shortchanged and advocates for a fairer split.

The Wait and See-er: Who does whatever everyone else wants to do, hoping it comes out in her favor.

The Cleanup Splitter: Who is well-off (or wants others to think so) and pitches in the missing $20 or pays the entire bill rather than sit through the discussion.

For more of Gaudette’s hilarious take on bill splitting and tipping, click here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/foodwine/2003847096_billsplitting22.html

FWO- ForWomenOnline.com!