I’m a 27-year-old man who has been in the same close-knit circle of friends since college. There are roughly eight of us in all. However, Susan and Greg, two members of the gang, have a reputation for being total freeloaders.
Every time we go out, they order the priciest things on the menu and then complain about how “money is tight.” Somehow, the bill is split such that everyone else ends up paying for a significant portion of their meal.
I received an invitation to a casual dinner last weekend from my friend Dan. I told him straight out that I had no interest in going if Susan or Greg were. Dan begged me to attend nonetheless and “just put it aside for once” even though he acknowledged they would be there. I agreed against my better judgment.
When we get together—just six individuals showed up—everyone begins placing orders. The majority of the group selected typical dinners that cost about $40. After that, Susan and Greg order these absurd dishes, each costing about $200.
Everyone stared at me as if I were going to place my own meal order when it was my turn. I informed the waitress that was all and pointed to a $4 Miller Lite instead. I told Dan that I had lost my appetite when he asked why I wasn’t getting anything. Two more buddies then got up, opted to only buy drinks instead of meals, and canceled their orders.
Susan and Greg hardly touched their food when it was delivered. Then the check arrived.
Greg tried to play the standard game right away, waving the waiter over and requesting a six-way split. I got up at that point and told him, “No, split it three ways.”
Greg wondered why we “always” split equally, seeming perplexed. I informed him that we were only paying for our beverages because the three of us hadn’t eaten anything. All of a sudden, the math was no longer on their side.
Dan ended himself with a $146.98 bill even though he had only consumed roughly $50 worth of food. The expression on his face when he saw the sum is something I will always remember.
I paid for my drink by sliding $10 toward the check, bid farewell, and left.
My phone was overflowing with texts the following morning. Greg and Susan were enraged, accusing me of “not ordering food” and forcing them to pay more than they had anticipated. Dan messaged me in the meantime, telling me that I should have stayed at home rather than pulling a practical joke that resulted in an absurd cost.
For background, the bar bill at this restaurant is distinct even though most establishments in Australia, where I live, don’t perform separate checks. Dan had the option to ask Susan and Greg to send him the money, but he has always been the kind to “assist” them with their purported financial difficulties, even when they are clearly abusing him.
To be honest? It might have been petty. However, I’m sick of having to comply as they treat everyone like a cash machine.
