My Father was not the Cheapest Man in the World

@DianneN (247186)
United States
January 19, 2023 11:45am CST
Last night we went out to dinner with 7 friends that we always get to see in Florida. We often get together in New York and in Connecticut. Hubs went to high school with the guys. One couple I met when visiting our son in law school, but since have been out to dinner with them at least 20 times. I’ve discovered a pattern. Only they ask for a separate check. Only they share one salad between them for dinner. Only they take home half that salad in a doggy bag. They choose the least expensive steak in fabulous steak houses and do the above. Etc…… It happened again at dinner last night. And don’t ask if they have no money, are watching what foods they put into their bodies, or are on diets. Not true! To each their own, but we never have a problem splitting the check with our friends. Actually, hubs often picks up the tab and our friends do the same. What’s a few bucks between friends? What’s your take? Photo is of Alley who is from San Antonio, Texas, and not Houston.
34 people like this
34 responses
@marguicha (222737)
• Chile
19 Jan 23
I once went out to dinner with my husband, a man friend and a couple. When the check came the couple started to look at how much each of them had eaten and even talked that one of them had eaten a greater part of the dessert than the other. My husband and the other man looked at each other and said that they would split the check between the two of them. Neither he or us went out for dinner again with this couple. And it wasn´t that they were poor or something like that.
7 people like this
@marguicha (222737)
• Chile
19 Jan 23
@DianneN My husband and the other man friend coud not bear the discussion about how many strawberries had each of them eaten. They looked at each other a second and said at the same time that they´d both share the bill. I can understand that when people are students or earning a small amount of money. But there are things that can´t be done.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@marguicha Yes, and we are talking about adults being cheap and with each other no less!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
Sounds like our couple! Hubs and I discussed that they would ask for a separate check on the drive to the restaurant. If it were up to me, I would never socialize with them, but they come with the group.
4 people like this
@Kandae11 (54986)
20 Jan 23
My belief is that some rich people remain rich by being frugal.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Many are, but they go way beyond.. Their tipping in another story.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@Kandae11 15 to 20% depending on the service. Sometimes more and sometimes less
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (54986)
20 Jan 23
@DianneN Ha ha ha. I have not gone to a restaurant for a very long time , so l would have no idea how much l should tip.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180332)
• United States
19 Jan 23
Obviously watching their pennies. As long as they aren't asking you to pay, all the timeI wouldn't worry about it. Honestly, sounds like something sis and bro in law would do. They are quite frugal. They got mad at friend for taking too much of the Tgivingg turkey for his dog .and it wasn't much!
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (180332)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@DianneN I couldn't believe it. It was a 26 pound turkey...really?? It isn't like that is the only thing they have to eat or something. Their freezers are stuffed.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@snowy22315 That is so embarrassing!!! I guess some people are stingy with food, too.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
It appears that way, but enough is enough. They are always bragging about this and that. Perhaps they save their food money to buy all that they buy. Sheesh ! It's just irritating. Lol about the turkey. People!
3 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41281)
• Delhi, India
19 Jan 23
Money doesn't matter among friends. If I have a good time with them I won't mind spending money on them. That is my belief.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
That's how I feel. We don't charge our fiends when we invite them to our home for dinner.
3 people like this
@jstory07 (139467)
• Roseburg, Oregon
19 Jan 23
I would like to pick up Alley and give her lots of love. What a sweet cat.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
Thanks for stopping by. She is all over the place!
3 people like this
@Nevena83 (65277)
• Serbia
19 Jan 23
I always try to pay the whole bill myself, but sometimes I let someone else pay, but I think friends should be honest about everything.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
It helps when everyone is on the same page. I'd be embarrassed asking for a separate check amongst good friends.
4 people like this
@Nevena83 (65277)
• Serbia
19 Jan 23
@DianneN Yes, I agree with you.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (166638)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Jan 23
My take is that this is just one more reason I don't socialize in real-time much. If this is something you don't feel you d want to continue to have happen I would make my excuses and quit going out with them.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (166638)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Jan 23
@DianneN ........There you have it. Ignore the negative.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
21 Jan 23
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
No can do. We love all the other people in that group. That couple just irritates me, but I'll live. lol
2 people like this
@much2say (55498)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Jan 23
I guess my circle of peeps just pass the bill around and everyone is honest to put in their share . But there are many times we've just all taken turns to just pay the bill - no biggie. That Alley is just too cute!!!
2 people like this
@much2say (55498)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Jan 23
@DianneN I'm usually the only one "not" drinking . She looks vibrant and healthy!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
That sounds reasonable. If I'm the only one drinking, we pay more. Thank you! She is quite a pip of a kitty cat!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (135851)
• India
19 Jan 23
I had a funny experience once This friend and I went to a restaurant for lunch. I said we will go Dutch and that made her order for lots of things which I thought was not fair. I am a small eater. On second thoughts I told her why not pay for what we order for separately? Not a happy situation for her!!!!
2 people like this
@allknowing (135851)
• India
20 Jan 23
@DianneN Even while splitting if one orders the way my friend ordered then it is best one pays for what one orders.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Oh, that was nasty of her. That was taking advantage of you. We just got home from picking our friends up from the airport and going out for dinner. They wanted to pick up the bill, but my husband refused. So we split it right down the middle.
2 people like this
@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
19 Jan 23
In Mexico, when I get invited to eat and I try to pay, they get offended. The same happens when I get invited to eat at a house. They would offer more servings of food. It´s difficult to deal with money
2 people like this
@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
19 Jan 23
@DianneN I have gone out with friends and we always split the expenses. That way everything flows smoothly
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@quantum2020 That’s how it should be.
2 people like this
• Nairobi, Kenya
20 Jan 23
@quantum2020 There are buddies who would rather ride o your back every time and ensure you foot all the expenses.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
20 Jan 23
This sounds weird. When we go out with friends money does not matter. Sometimes we pay, others they pay and we do not care to remember if we paid more often or not. I know that there are some rich people like them.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
20 Jan 23
@DianneN - I fully agree, you cannot even enjoy your meal with that attitude.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@LadyDuck They are cheap tippers, too. To be honest, I like the other husbands and wives much better. They not only are better looking, but more fun and nicer, too
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Twins again! I hope I don't have to see this couple until next year. They take the joy out of eating out with our friends. Cheap, cheap, cheap .....
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105794)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Jan 23
Alley looks like a climber jumper to me Maybe it is a left over habit from tougher times. I don't mind picking up the check or sharing it with good friends
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (105794)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Jan 23
@DianneN Glad they thought of that before she tried it I would just leave a tip and let it go
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
22 Jan 23
@wolfgirl569 We all leave extra on behalf of them
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
She is a crazy kitty!!!! They had to put plastic around their balcony so she wouldn't jump off or fall off. Who knows? All I know is that it makes dining out with them unpleasant. I won't mention tipping. Hoo boy!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Sometimes the people with the most money are the most frugal. That's the way they are; and you can't change them. It would be very annoying though! As long as you continue to include them at the dinners, they will continue to ask for separate checks, etc.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Simply put - exactly!!!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37098)
19 Jan 23
When going out with friends, it can get difficult. Many just split the bill, or they take turns, but there are some people who just don't choose to be lavish with themselves. Maybe they are saving for something? Maybe they just don't want to spend money, which is the most likely. If things are tight for them, I am surprised they would even go out to eat. When I go out with friends, we either split it or just take turns, the one thing that bothers me terribly is one friend who will order an extremely expensive dinner when we are all just paying for our own, but she never leaves a tip. Ever. The rest of us like her, but no tip isn't really acceptable for good food and excellent service. So we all usually tuck a bit extra in our own tip to make up and just don't say anything to her anymore. It's just not worth it to us.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
I agree, but they are just cheap. I never mentioned the fact that they are cheap tippers, too. If we pay in cash, they throw in a dollar or, two, tops. I have no idea what they tip when they use a credit card. We also leave a generous tip to cover those two, as well. With so many people, the wait staff works extra hard and certainly deserves extra.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
@MarieCoyle Very true! It’s best to keep quiet about those things.
@MarieCoyle (37098)
19 Jan 23
@DianneN I worked as a server and such for a long time when going to college. A good server earns their money! Sometimes, I want to say something to our friend who is such a bad tipper, like do you realize we are leaving extra because you are leaving nothing? But I don't....it's hard but I shut up.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160600)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Alley is gorgeous. I would be embarrassed to make such a big deal about a meal in a restaurant.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Thanks and likewise!
@rebelann (112770)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jan 23
I love that photo. I also love her name, it reminds me of my Ally .... ok, so my Ally was a pup.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Of course it does and thank you
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60933)
• Centralia, Washington
19 Jan 23
Is it a joke between them?
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jan 23
No, but it's a huge joke among the rest of us and not very funny.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339355)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jan 23
Some people are just like that I guess. Or maybe they didn't have much as kids or their parents taught them to be frugal. Who knows?
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Who knows is right? I just hope I don't have to spend time with them until next year. I prefer the other couples much more, anyway.
1 person likes this
@cool83 (4467)
• Sri Lanka
20 Jan 23
I feel it is differ to people to people , When it comes to the money with friends , can go is the is the sharing the bill i think should have been good thing rite , Also Alley is really beautiful.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
I agree and thanks so much!
@yesiisey (267)
• Indonesia
20 Jan 23
maybe they's being frugal and doesn't want to spend too much on food
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Perhaps, but I doubt it. They leave the waiters very poor tips, too.