Testimonials. “We divide without taking into account what each person has eaten”: your strategies when faced with the bill

Going to a bar or restaurant means consuming, treating yourself... and also paying the bill, a moment that isn't always pleasant! Most of the readers of the EBRA group (which includes our newspaper) interviewed say they divide the bill by the number of guests. First, there are those who are magnanimous and apply this rule in all circumstances, even if this method is unfavorable to them: "We divide without taking into account what each person has eaten," emphasizes Didier, 67, from Challes-les-Eaux (Savoie). Marie, 72, from Savigny-le-Sec (Côte-d'Or) does this division "without any hassle" and Nicole, 66, from Saint-Étienne (Loire) does it "simply, no matter what we took." Violette, 62, from Ingersheim (Haut-Rhin) is even more explicit: "We divide, regardless of who had one more drink or had a more expensive meal."

Then there are those who are in favor of it, but not with just anyone. Bano, 66, simply splits the bill when he's with his "long-time friends." On the other hand, "with others," the Alsatian pays for what he consumes, "no more, no less." Sylvie, a 60-year-old from Annecy, also doesn't hesitate to take everyone's situation into account when she's with her 30-year-old friends: "We often go out as a threesome and we each pay a third, unless there are some who come alone, then we adapt and pay their share. There's never been any grumbling."

Not with just anyone, and not in just any proportions: Béatrice, 72, from Obernai (Bas-Rhin), shares "on condition that the people who accompany [her] do not systematically exaggerate, by taking the most expensive dishes." Chantal, 67, from Dijon (Côte-d'Or), also divides "if the consumption is roughly the same amount." This is also the case for Vanessa, 54, from Haguenau (Bas-Rhin): "If the meals/consumption are not balanced, everyone pays their share, which is normal and always well received by everyone."

With the exception of Bruno, 60, from Tréminis (Isère), who "usually invites," our witnesses are more likely to pay the entire bill to their family, especially their children (even those of a certain age). "With children and stepchildren, it's our couple's credit card that pays," emphasizes Sylvie. "I pay the total if we're with the children," adds Gilbert, 76, from Montbrison (Loire). Béatrice, from Alsace, adds her "grandchildren, brothers, or close friends" to this list. Vanessa, for her part, is "happy to invite friends or family" if she is "financially comfortable" and is herself "invited regularly." Jérôme, 30, from Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), who usually goes to the bar with "the same people," can also "regularly pay for drinks, depending on what he wants or needs financially in a given month."

Finally, there are those like Philippe, 63, whose town name we will not mention, who, at the fateful moment, "discreetly goes to the toilet." "When I come back, it's usually already paid for, and that's always something," says the man who says he's fighting with "a small pension."