How to Split the Bill and Keep Your Friends

Dining out with friends is one of life's simple pleasures. But when the bill arrives, things can get a little awkward. To avoid any tension and keep your friendships intact, it's best to have a plan for splitting the bill. Here's a guide to help you navigate this common social situation.

The "Even Steven"

The easiest way to split the bill is to divide it equally among everyone at the table. This works best when everyone has ordered items that are similarly priced. However, if one person has only had a salad and a glass of water while another has had a three-course meal with wine, this method can lead to resentment.

The "Itemised" Approach

For a more fair and accurate way to split the bill, you can ask for an itemised bill. This allows each person to pay for exactly what they ordered. While this method is more precise, it can be time-consuming and a little tedious to calculate each person's share at the table.

Let Technology Do the Work 📱

Instead of complicated maths at the table or chasing friends for bank transfers, let technology handle the hard work. Using a group collection app can make settling the bill seamless.

With an app like Collctiv, one person can act as the organiser. They simply create a payment pot for the bill and share a unique payment link with the group. Everyone else just taps the link and pays their share directly into the pot using their own card details. The best part is that only the organiser needs the app, so your friends don't have to go through the hassle of downloading anything or setting up an account. This makes it incredibly easy to gather the money without anyone being left out of pocket.

Talk About It

The best way to avoid any awkwardness when it comes to splitting the bill is to have a conversation about it before you even order. This way, everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises when the bill arrives. Here are a few tips for talking about splitting the bill with your friends:

• Be direct: It's best to be upfront and honest about how you'd like to split the bill. You can say something like, "Hey, should we just pay for what we order?" or "I can create a payment link so we can all chip in for the total."
• Be flexible: Not everyone will have the same financial situation, so it's important to be flexible and willing to compromise. If someone is unable to pay their share, you can offer to cover them and have them pay you back later.
• Be respectful: It's important to be respectful of your friends' financial situations. Don't make assumptions about what they can or can't afford.
• Collect money upfront: For group bookings or set menus, it's often easier to collect the money beforehand. This ensures the full amount is covered and avoids any awkwardness when the bill arrives. An app can be perfect for this.

By following these tips, you can split the bill with your friends without any drama or stress. So go ahead and enjoy that meal with your besties!

Organisers bring people together

Since 2019 Collctiv has helped over 1.6 million people from 175 countries come together by making it simple for Organisers to collect money from groups. Whether it's gifts for teachers, group holidays or grassroots sports teams - download our free app today and start bringing people together!

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