Stingy People

I had a friend who would always eat the likes of surf and turf etc and expect me to go halves whereas I would just eat a salad or something small (digestive issues). Hers would be £25 and mine £10. I started to take just the right amount of cash to cover mine and a tip. When I did not bail her out one day, she said 'How am I going to pay for this?' I said 'Use your debit card'. She reluctantly got it out and paid her share. People!

My family were invited, along with other family members to a close relative’s significant birthday Party. Lunch in a local restaurant. Rather unexpectedly her son came round after the dessert for our part of the bill. There were a lot of astonished faces. Nothing had been said about that beforehand.

Grandmatte I m with you all the way it’s fine for people who are well off to share a bill but if you haven’t got too much spare it’s unfair and it’s nothing to do with meanness or generosity

I remember going out with my then early twenties daughter and her friend, sister and their parents they chose an expensive restaurant there was two of us four of them when it came to the bill much to my horrow the father took it and divide it in half. They had had steaks, salmon and second courses with lots of alcohol whereas we had kept it very light choosing the cheapest thing on the menu no alcohol and no deserts. I was mortified and spent about a ‘weeks food’ on that meal

I have never got caught out since, I always pay for what I eat, (unless it’s with my children or grandchildren)
Luckily all the people I eat out with are in the habit of paying for what they have so it’s never been a problem since

When I go out for a meal on my own when I have the bill I always ask if the tip is included. If it's good service I pay it if I had bad service I take the tip off what I pay. Had to explain few times to managers why I would not pay full bill. If no tip included in the bill I give a tip if had good service .

When out with my daughter or a friend we take it in turn who pays the bill.

Many years ago when our children where young we where in the lake District and used the same restaurant for a couple of nights. Second night a group of hikers came in with muddy boots . When it came to the bill they tried to work out who had what . It was getting heated and the air blue with bad language. There where other families there. My husband went over and told them to be quiet grabbed the bill then asked the waiter to ask each person what they had and give them separate bills. He then told them to cough up £5 each for the mess they had made of the floor. They did and left quickly .

My husband was used to dealing with people in large numbers and problem solving . He did suggest that the manger put up a sign outside saying no muddy hiking boots allowed inside . My husband was a scout and venture scout leader and when out always made everyone clean any mud off there boots before entering a building . They carried extra water and paper towels for the purpose .

Not exactly what Moonwatcher started talking about but it jogged a memory of happy times with my husband and family . And his sense of fairness. Unfortunately he died 20 years ago aged 47 from cancer . But love the fact posts can give me back memories of I had forgotten.

Moonwatcher thank you .

As a poor young married, I went out to dinner with the wives of DH’s colleagues. I picked modestly priced main and pudding and only drank water (which is what I could afford). The wife of one of the managers had three courses including lobster, and had quite a lot to drink. To my horror, the bill was then divided equally! I had to pay so much more than I could afford. I never went out with them again.
Since then, I have made sure that the bill is paid according to what you have consumed yourself.

Never understand the mindset of only paying for exactly what you've eaten. I only eat out with friends and family and would happily indulge any of of them in a drink or whatever. What I do grudge is the way establishments now assume a tip and put it on the bill automatically

Wasn't there a saying "look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves?" I think some people stick religiously to this rule and get a thrill when they save a few pence on a tin of baked beans.

I know someone who will drive out of her way to Costco, several miles away, to save money on petrol.
Old habits die hard.

Many years ago I got guilted into doing "bits" of shopping for a neighbour. I started out by helping her with her DLA form and then gradually got recruited into doing more and more. I had no car and my own shopping to carry. She knew that.

One day I brought her several items from the local Spar near the uni where I worked. She complained bitterly at the prices and it was all I could do to get my money back. She had a big lazy son living with her but he was "not good with shopping!.

Needless to say I refused to do any more shopping for her. Fortunately by then there was caller display so I just ignored her number when she rang me wanting something.

Since then I have never given my number or email address to a neighbour.