AIW for refusing to split a bill evenly after my friends ordered way more than me?
I went out to dinner with four friends last weekend. Nothing fancy, just a casual place we go to sometimes. I wasn’t that hungry, so I ordered a sandwich and one soda. My total before tax and tip was around $18.
Everyone else ordered a lot more. Appetizers for the table that I barely touched, cocktails, extra sides, desserts, the whole thing. I didn’t care because it’s their money and I was happy just hanging out.
Then the bill came.
One friend immediately said we should just split it evenly because it was “easier.” I looked at the total and realized my share would be almost $70. I said I’d rather just pay for what I ordered since I had way less than everyone else.
That made the table weird fast.
One friend said I was being cheap and that splitting evenly is normal when you go out with friends. Another said I should have said something before the meal if I was worried about money. But I didn’t think I needed to announce that I wasn’t paying for everyone’s cocktails and dessert.
I paid for my own food, tax, and tip, and left the rest for them to split. Nobody yelled, but the mood was ruined and one of them later texted that I made everyone uncomfortable over “a few dollars.”
It wasn’t a few dollars though. It was about $50 extra for food and drinks I didn’t order.
Now I’m wondering if I handled it badly. I don’t want to be that person who makes dinner awkward, but I also don’t think “easier” should mean I subsidize everyone else’s night out.
AIW?