Is it rude to ask a waitress/waiter to split up a check?

[PhlashFoto]

A few friends and I were at Denny's the other night. When it came time for the check, I asked her to split my part out from the others. Well I got my bill I easy put down the cash plus a generous tip (30%, I know the waitress), while the other 2 kept going back and forth trying to figure out who owes who and what they should leave.

Now last night one of the friends and I were driving to the gym and he mentioned about me spliting up the check. He claims how its rude, how waitresses hate when people ask to have it done and it messes up the total. My response was to say, "Well, it causes less confusion for me and the people involved, and I'll tip better for their time to split it."

Then he goes on to mention that how the problem was that she was getting a huge tip and blah blah of like $8, which is $2 person. Then I claim: "Exactly, me and Steve are leaving $3 each for a total of $6, while you and the other are leaving $1 each."

Then that is were I bring up the other point to him. I've noticed how when I am with others and I tip, the others feel as they can get away with less if I am tipping a bit better. So say the person should get 6$ and I put in 4$ just cause I felt they deserve that from me alone, the others will only put in 1$ each.

Sorry for the long drawn out story. I just would like other ppl's opinions. Plus from those who have worked or are currently in the food service business.

 

[cchen]

Its not rude, and they should do it if the customer asks. I've been to a few higher end restaurants with friends and we always split the check with no problem.

 

[Rip the Jacker]

No.

 

[UglyCasanova]

I used to be a waiter and I would always ask if the ticket was together or separate.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Not even readign the original post.

NO:roll:

 

[MetalMat]

Yeah, why would it be rude. Their job is to wait on you, that does not seem like an unreasonable request.

 

[RossMAN]

No but as a courtesy you should tell them before ordering that you want separate checks.

 

[tokamak]

I worked as a waiter once, and I did not care at all if people asked to split up the check. Of course, the restaurant that I worked at had a computerized check system that made it very easy. It might not be so easy if its all done on paper and the waiter/waitress is busy. However, I still don't think its rude.

On your second point, I sympathize with you. Since I worked as a waiter, I generally tip very generously. I've also had friends cheap out on their portion of the tip just because I threw in a lot. Pretty frustrating, but what can you say in a situation like that? I usually try to wait and be the last person to put in my portion of the tip, or if thats not possible, hang back a little bit as the group leaves (take that last drink of water or whatever) and throw down an extra dollar or two.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
No but as a courtesy you should tell them before ordering that you want separate checks.

Yep. It's easier when ordering. And for the love of pete, sit at the table in some way that the different tabs are logically separated. Don't have people on a separate check sitting at opposite ends of the table.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
No but as a courtesy you should tell them before ordering that you want separate checks.

 

[Kishan]

I don't ask for seperate checks, I just ask them to split the bill-my friend pays with cash, I pay with card.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: midwestfisherman

Originally posted by: RossMAN
No but as a courtesy you should tell them before ordering that you want separate checks.

 

[PhlashFoto]

Thanks for the insight all keep it coming.

I usually tell the waiter from the start to split my part and let the others do what they want from there.

 

[rasholianmon]

a really perceptive waiter/waitress would notice if a crowd of guests are separate/together and would inquire based on the assumption if they are... two people holding hands acting lovey dovey??? together, a group of about six or so people, numerous ages and stuff??? separate. now someone at the table may say "No thanks, I'm taking up the whole tab", or they might choose to just pool their money, making the tip extra sweet, but it shouldn't be considered rude to ask, on either side...

I think the bulk of your problem is that you decided to eat at Denny's. Where've you been for the last few years?? They've built quite the racist reputation, y'know...

 

[rasholianmon]

on top of that, you got some cheap-a$$ friends. no one likes a cheap tipper. tell him next time his a$$ can foot the whole thing if he has a problem...

can't stand cheap playa-hatin a$$ mo-fos...

 

[PoPPeR]

i dont know why people have such difficulty splitting up checks. At the most you have what, 2-3 items on the bill that you can claim as yours? Add up the total, estimate the tax, double the tax, add it up. It's really not that hard.

 

[seanws]

most places i go, the waiter/waitress asks if we want seperate checks before we order

 

[tokamak]

Originally posted by: rasholianmon
I think the bulk of your problem is that you decided to eat at Denny's.

we have a winner. i didn't even think of this. Denny's, frankly, is horrible.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: tokamak

Originally posted by: rasholianmon
I think the bulk of your problem is that you decided to eat at Denny's.

we have a winner. i didn't even think of this. Denny's, frankly, is horrible.

All bad nights end at Denny's. But for some reason when you are bombed off your ass on Natty Light and Popov, it tastes so good....

 

[chuckywang]

No. I'm sure a lot of people ask to do it. They get it all the time.

 

[Vic]

RossMAN already answered the question. No, it is not rude but your should ask before ordering.

However, some places do not allow you to split the check for large parties (i.e. 6 or more) when it is obvious that the only reason for wanting to split the check is to avoid the automatic gratuities, etc. for large parties. Then (and only then) is it rude to ask to split the check.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
No but as a courtesy you should tell them before ordering that you want separate checks.

They prefer that over getting told at the end

Every few weeks my family goes with two or other three families out to dinner. We always order one family at a time even though we're spread out on the table.

 

[TheNinja]

Sweet Poll!!

 

[mrrman]

not at all, normally they ask at the beginning of the meal before ordering"separate or all on one bill"

 

[Merlyn3D]

In my experiences, generally when my friends and I have split checks, the waiter gets a bigger tip than if we don't split checks. How this works out, I dunno, but it always happens that way.