Please Settle This,
I want to start by saying I love my friends. I need you to know that before the rest of this.
There are seven of us from college, and once a month we do a big dinner. Last Saturday it was Kayla’s birthday, at a steakhouse she picked. I am saving for a car, so I knew going in I was keeping it simple. I ordered a side salad and a water. I was happy. I was there for the people, not the food.
The table, however, was there for the food. Three bottles of wine. A seafood tower. Something called the "Tomahawk for Two," which arrived with a sparkler in it. Kayla’s birthday cocktail had dry ice. I am not making this up.
The bill came to $812. Before I could say anything, Chris grabbed it and said, "Let us just split it seven ways, easier for everybody." That is $116 for my $14 salad.
So I said, quietly, "Would it be okay if I just paid for mine?"
The whole table went silent. Chris laughed, but not in a fun way. "Seriously? It is Kayla’s birthday." Someone else said, "It always evens out." It does not always even out. I always get the salad.
I ended up paying $116, because I did not want to make it a whole thing on her birthday. Then I went home and moved $116 out of my car fund and felt sick.
The next morning, Kayla texted me privately: "Hey, did I do something wrong? It felt weird last night."
Am I wrong for asking to pay for just what I ordered? Or is splitting evenly the price of having friends?
Signed,
Just the Salad, Thanks
Letters are written by NowSettled from the disputes people search for. Names and details are made up.
