Watched Rachel Ray on Friday. Apprentice Bill Rancic (saw him speak in person a few times…this man was a success well before Trump came along) was on, talking about how to handle the bill for restaurant meals.
We’ve all done it, gone to a dinner, a bit confused over whether we’re paying or not, and then stared at the bill at the end of the meal, wondering if we should pick it up.
Especially us women. A guy asks us out, takes us a fancy, designed to impress us, too pricey for our means restaurant and the entire time, we’re thinking “he’d better be paying for this excess.” Sure, we want to be liberated and independent but since we weren’t asked where we wanted to go…
Bill’s rule is that if you ask, you pay, at least for that first meal. Doesn’t matter who asks (male, female, other). That person usually gets to decide on the restaurant.
Then for future meals, he suggests taking turns (at least when we’re out with friends, dating depends on the couple). Again the person who is paying that night, gets to decide on the restaurant (this allows friends with different budgets to treat to that budget).
Sounds fair to me. At least then I can be assured of liking the meal I’m paying for.
What if it’s a group meal and you’re not sure? Oh, and you ordered water and a salad while your tablemates ordered champagne and caviar? He advises being proactive by looking at the bill first and saying “this should cover my portion.”
His pro tip? Never tell your tablemates you’re treating until all the ordering is done. Believe me, people tend to be free with the orders when its not their coin.
Comments (1)
I couldn't agree more with "you ask you pay." From an etiquette perspective it only makes sense. The person asking is the person hosting, and would therefore be choosing the restaurant and footing the bill.
Because of this, I don't think you need to be so formal as to say "let's take turns paying" when dating. They ask, you ask, and so on. If somebody asks twice in a row, so be it. If somebody else accepts continued invitations without coming up with one of their own (even for homemade muffins and coffee if one is on a student budget), you may want to reconsider how much you want to continue inviting this person on dates.
Posted by Angie Hartford | June 19, 2007 7:52 PM
Posted on June 19, 2007 19:52