Splitting a restaurant bill with friends? Expert shares 'most desirable' approach

Dining out can be an expensive undertaking Dining out with friends can be even more costly When dining with others at a restaurant what's the best approach to settling the tab when the check arrives An etiquette expert revealed the best way to avoid those awkward moments or prospective conflicts that could damage a friendship NEARLY OF AMERICANS BELIEVE TIPPING IS GETTING OUT OF HAND AT PRESENT SURVEY SAYS It's not uncommon for friends at a restaurant to suggest at the end of the meal 'Let's just split the bill equally ' Diane Gottsman founder and owner of the Protocol School of Texas in San Antonio communicated Fox News Digital At this point there are several people at the table agreeing outwardly but secretly irritated that they are overpaying for other people's food and drink It feels uncomfortable because no one wants to be the person that speaks up To avoid this situation explained Gottsman it's essential to communicate in advance MAN STUNNED WHEN RESTAURANT STRANGER PAYS BREAKFAST BILLSomeone with financial constraints might be inclined to pay separately The majority desirable and sophisticated way to handle this situation is to look directly at the server when he approaches you and say 'I'm going to take these two' or 'Please give me a separate check ' disclosed Gottsman Let the server know directly who you are going to be responsible for when the bill comes It's inevitably better to separate it at the beginning rather than at the end CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERIf you do decide to split the bill evenly it's best to know what the others at your table are eating or drinking Alcohol can rapidly add up when it comes to the final bill which might leave several feeling uneasy especially if someone else at your table isn't drinking If someone decides to order an extremely expensive bottle of wine for example you can speak up and say 'Hey guys please enjoy but I don't want to pay for that wine because I'm not drinking Letting you know now ' Splitting a bill down the middle can sometimes be the easiest least-complicated way to handle things but people with children should consider paying separately noted Gottsman HOW TO ORDER A DELICIOUS AND ROBUST GLASS BOTTLE OF WINE WITH CONVICTION ACCORDING TO A MASTER SOMMELIER You should also not expect for everyone to assume that splitting the bill is going to be appreciated she announced If you speak out once there are going to be several others who are going to take a huge sigh of relief because you verbalized what they were thinking Another piece of advice Gottsman stated Fox News Digital is to avoid such scenarios with someone who you know historically gouges you on the bill For more Lifestyle articles visit foxnews com lifestyle You can say I'm going to pass on the invitation but let's get together next week for lunch mentioned Gottsman In other words accept an invitation where you can tackle how the bill is paid In the end revealed Gottsman setting expectations is one of the best techniques to get around this uncomfortable yet common scenario