Separate Checks (Meals Apart)*
By Dan on Jul 18, 2008 in Local
On Wednesday we and three other couples, dear friends all, dined at Jimmy Oh’s, a new restaurant located on Koke Mill in the same development with the Corner Pub. We had a wonderful time and the food was of the delicious variety. I won’t be writing a review of the restaurant, since not everyone let me sample off their plates, but I would like to discuss some policy issues in the hospitality industry.
First, we were informed that all parties of six or more would be charged an automatic 20 percent gratuity. This is not unheard of, although somewhat presumptuous. I regularly tip in the 20 percent range, but the amount should be of my choosing and based on performance. Yet I understand the need to safeguard against misers, especially those dining in packs.
Second, and more disturbing, was the restaurant’s policy of not providing separate checks for large parties. In these post-sawbuck days, most people of legitimate means don’t carry large amounts of cash, relying instead on debit or credit cards. Not providing separate checks creates an awkward situation for the modern diner.
Even if the restaurant allows for multiple payment methods for a single check, there’s still the problem of breaking out the costs and applying them to the appropriate party. This isn’t a task normally associated with a pleasant dining experience.
Before I go further, let me say that this never became an issue at Jimmy Oh’s. Before we had a chance to raise our concerns, the waitress asked if we wanted separate checks, saying it was no problem because she wasn’t very busy. We appreciated her accommodation.
But what if she had been a stickler for regulation; what would our choices have been?
Well, we could have marched out and over to the Corner Pub for horseshoes and Paninis. That would have been a tad drastic, however, and we were hoping for more refined fare that evening.
We also could have forked over four credit cards and asked the waitress to deduct a one-fourth of the total from each card. We’re good enough friends that I doubt there would have been any quibbling over who ordered the most expensive entrée and who did or didn’t have dessert. However, our Puritan friends from Spaulding were refraining from alcohol and it wouldn’t have been right to have them partially subsidize our vices.
My wife suggested that we put it all on our credit card – we’re receiving triple points on our Amazon card for a limited time only – and make arrangements for everyone to reimburse us for their given portions at a later date, but that’s asking me to put a little too much faith in our friendships.
None of these options were pleasing, nor did they cater to our wishes, which is a big part of what the hospitality industry supposes to do.
A few years ago we were in a similar situation at a downtown establishment. At this restaurant, there was no stated policy against separate checks, but the waitress informed us that she was authorized to prohibit multiple billings if she saw fit. And on this night, she decided to hand us a calculator and let us figure out our own tabs.
There we were, a mixed group of couples and singles (and not one accountant among us), trying to decipher the bill and figure out who owed what. Did you have one beer or two? Who ordered the appetizer? What’s tax on a $15.45 entrée? We aren’t tipping this b****, are we?
By prohibiting separate checks, restaurants are effectively taking a burden off their wait staff and placing it on their customers. That strikes me as quite inhospitable.
I understand that it’s easier for a waitperson to deal with one check than four, but it’s no more burdensome than if we had sat at four separate tables and conversed across space. Should we be put upon for dining communally. I say no!
Let’s put an end to this no separate checks business. We deserve a nice meal and a relaxing night out, without having to do the math.
*Taken from a song thats video features the worst air keyboard playing in the history of the genre.
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Talk about your crazy coincidences. I too had an experience like the one you described in your blog. The only difference was that we asked when making reservations at CAFE BRIO if we could do separate checks and the call taker said yes, only to later be rebuffed by our waitress. (Must have been the same bit@h!) To add insult to injury I asked to speak to the manager who politely backed his waitress. I then again expressed my unhappiness and was told that I could leave my name and number the owner would call me. I never received a call.
M.B. | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
In situations like that, I always tell the waiter/waitress right up front that we want separate checks. If they say they can’t, don’t, or won’t do that, I leave without hesitation. I don’t care if it is a party of 26– they should be able to have 26 separate checks. Or 13. Or 4. Or 17. Or 22. Or however many they WANT to have.
There is absolutely no valid reason for ANY restaurant not to allow separate checks. Ever. If they won’t do separate checks, eat somewhere that will.
And yes, that was the worst air-keyboard in history, and likely will be for generations to come.
Johann | Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
I love it how people can judge a situation from their own point of view and not by someone else’s. Maybe you should work as a server for a few days and then ask why seperate checks aren’t issued. I for the life of me don’t understand why people feel so entitled. REstaurant employees work long, hard hours for little pay. On top of that they have to deal with people like you who raises a big stink over minute issues. How about calling ahead next time and if they don’t issue seperate checks plan accordingly. Honestly there are starving, suffering people in the world and you have the gaul to complain about this. wow.
G | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply
Um G, I think paying customers feel entitled because they are PAYING CUSTOMERS. If you were providing free meals, you might have a point, but I guess if you were then this separate checks issue really becomes a moot point, doesn’t it? But I digress - customers pay for your food AND your service. Don’t get me wrong;I fully understand that the job of a server can be tough and tiring, and I also believe in treating restaraunt staff with respect, keeping my kids in line so they don’t make your job more difficult, and tipping well for a job well done. But if your service is lacking or unaccommodating, your little pay becomes no pay. So instead of insinuating that your customers are just lucky to have you show up and deliver the food in the first place, maybe you should focus on how to keep the customers happy so that they remain customers - trust me, it’s in your best interest. And perhaps you didn’t read the top left corner of this blog, where Dan aptly describes what it’s all about. Having the gaul to complain about this is EXACTLY why we have this blog.
Laura | Aug 5, 2008 | Reply
Did I mention I’m dyslexic - that should be top right corner of the blog. (If I didn’t mention it, its because I’m not.)
Laura | Aug 5, 2008 | Reply
Why is it that women dining out together almost always ask for separate checks, but when in the company of men they couldn’t care less? Just as it’s not my job to go outside during your meal and wash your car because it would make you happy, it’s not my problem that your “dear friends” want to argue about a few dollars. It’s so common to have the check totals be almost the same after you did all of that work. Either everyone bring cash - there are ATM’s everywhere, or simply hand me several cards and say “$50 on this one, $40 on that one,” etc. Everyone HAVING to use credit cards costs the restaurant %4-%5 in fees which get passed on to you anyway. And where I work the owner deducts this percentage from my tips. I already have too many jobs to do because it’s a small mom&pop restaurant. I have to answer the phone, seat people, make my own cocktails and desserts, bus my own tables, take out the trash, and vacuum the entire restaurant, all for less than $3/hr wages. Separating checks on top of all that is just unfair.
Brian R Ingram | Jan 24, 2009 | Reply