Splitting the Check

We've all been to those large group dinners where everyone breaks out into a sweat when the bill arrives. Do we split the check evenly? Pay for exactly what we ordered? Here's what the Emily Post Institute has to say about it...

- At an informal get-together, decide as group prior to sitting down if you want it all on one tab or if some people in the group would prefer a separate check. Either decision is fine, as long as its agreed upon before dinner

-If a single check it agreed upon and everyone orders food in the same price range, it makes sense to split the check evenly

-If people's orders are markedly different in price and if diners consume a couple of alcoholic beverages while you just have water, those who spent more should offer to cover more of the bill. If they don't gently remind them of some of the larger differences and split the check accordingly.

Dinner Dates....

Are you a good dinner date?!?!

1) When you walk to your table, your date should let you walk ahead of him. Ladies first.

2) Don't start eating until your date gets his food, too. During the meal, pace yourself throughout the meal so you finish at the same time.

3) If you get up to go to the bathroom, put your napkin on the table to the left of your plate--not on your seat. (Fun fact: Italian folklore considers it bad luck to put your napkin on your chair, since it indicates that you'll never return.)

4) Randomly, if you're asked to pass either the salt or pepper, pass them both together.

5) Always leave a bite of food on your plate, to signal to your hosts that you were served an adequate amount. (As my great uncle Donald says, "Leave some for Mr. Manners.")

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