On Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:42:20 -0800 (PST), Kalmia
> wrote:

>On Feb 15, 9:38*am, "jmcquown" > wrote:
>> "Kalmia" > wrote in message
>>
>> ...
>>
>>
>>
>> > Why are people so afraid to utter the *D word PRIOR to entering the
>> > resto? *I make no qualms about making it clear that it's a Dutch deal.
>>
>> > Thing that kills ME is acquaintances *who enter a resto, spy you,
>> > plunk down at your table, barely cover their meals, *then bolt. *I've
>> > gotten stuck picking up the tax and tip for these types a few times.
>>
>> There were situations at work where we'd go out for a group lunch at a
>> restaurant in a nearby hotel. *It was pretty much understood everyone pay
>> their own way. *Separate checks, please. *(I'm talking about a group of 10
>> people.) *At this particular lunch someone told the server one check was
>> fine, we'd just split it. *What?! *That's not fair. *I had a bowl of soup.
>> This person ordered soup, salad, an entree and dessert. *We were at the
>> table for a good 30 minutes trying to divvy up the check.
>>
>> Jill
>
>If you heard someone ask for one check, why didn't you speak up?
>I got stuck once in my younger days, not thinking that I'd have to
>subsidize the big eaters in the bunch. Now, in a big group, I go
>armed with plenty of fives and ones, plunk down my share and sit back
>and watch the battle between those with the twenties and fifties.

Good on you. I always carry an array small bills with the large
bills. Anytime I go to a restaurant whether alone of with others I
bring enough cash to pay my tab, I don't pay at restaurants with
plastic. I try to use my plastic for secure transactions only,
restaurants and bars are about the worst place to display your ID.