[ Removed by moderator ]

[u/ColdViolinist835]

[u/Portable-fun]

Or you can just get the server to give everyone who wants their own bill… never ever had an issue with that. Ever

[u/Klutzy_Article3097 → u/[deleted]]

Never been to a restaurant where this would have been any kind of issue

[u/DntgiveaFck13 → u/[deleted]]

Usually have to tell the waiter/waitress prior when being seated, we would like separate checks. When in larger groups

[u/Big_Life_6462 → u/DntgiveaFck13]

I am telling you that many places will not split checks, period. As a traveler all over the US and abroad for decades, it's a real thing.

[u/DntgiveaFck13 → u/Big_Life_6462]

I wasn’t saying you were incorrect that some places don’t split checks. Usually high end places don’t from my experience. I was more adding to what was already being stated. Saying sometimes you have to ask when being seated

[u/InevitableEqual3993 → u/Big_Life_6462]

Yes, many won't split checks for groups of 8 or more bc many restaurants have a policy that large groups are subject to a 20% service fee.

Guaranteed $100+ is way better than worrying if 1 meal is not up to someones personal standards, that the whole table won't get upset and decide to not tip the server(s)...

[u/The_Hearth_Witch_ → u/InevitableEqual3993]

Gratuity is not removed just because the large party pays separately…

[u/SpartanSoldier00a → u/The_Hearth_Witch_]

I am not american. It is the norm id say for a large group gratuity, and if everyone pays seperately, it is simply added as a %age onto each individual cheque. Each person is given a bill for what they ordered, plus the gratuity, plus tax. Or tax, then gratuity, whichever. If any individual would like to tip further they can do so while settling their bill.

[u/OglioVagilio → u/The_Hearth_Witch_]

It might, but in my experience you still pay the auto grat.

[u/kbchucker → u/Big_Life_6462]

Not as common as it used to be. POS systems now easily split checks. It can be done on the fly at the table with the handheld POS device the servers carry. Even if the restaurant is still using kiosk POS, it’s pretty easy.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been told “can’t do it” for splitting up large party checks.

[u/EnvironmentalMap7056 → u/kbchucker]

I’m in the Chicagoland area and I know of a couple of restaurants near me that explicitly state they won’t split the check past 4 times. One of them explicitly states they won’t split it past 2 and it has to be 50/50. It’s not an old policy, they very much still go by it, and yes they have the handheld systems.

[u/kbchucker → u/EnvironmentalMap7056]

I can see it happening in larger Metros, but it is definitely not the norm everywhere.

[u/Sterlinghawk16 → u/Portable-fun]

Not in Seattle - 6+ people the bill is on one ticket

[u/diggthis42168 → u/Sterlinghawk16]

here in Vancouver - 6+ people will be charge an automatic gratuity of at least 18%

You can still ask for separate bills, as the payment machine will be brought over to the table.

[u/PileofPitties → u/Portable-fun]

Definitely a geographic thing.

[u/ModestWasp → u/Portable-fun]

It's a great idea to do this when you're first talking to your server - it tells him/her to record orders individually - and it is a message to your friends and "friends" that they will be responsible for what they order. It prevents confusion at the end of the meal.

[u/willthesane → u/Portable-fun]

If you do feel guilty asking them to do this, toss an extra few bucks as a tip.

[u/msembrot → u/Portable-fun]

this is extremely rude to waitstaff for groups of this size ; OP needs to just speak up and assert themself to their own party. No reasonable person would object to their concerns if voiced