All of us have been there. You're at a birthday dinner for a friend of a friend of a friend. Wine is flowing, shots are being passed around the so-long-that-you-can't see-the-person-on-the-other-end table and your friends are goading you to order that extra side of truffle fries because "it's a special occasion." And then, someone pulls out the bill and announces that since everyone is chipping in for the birthday girl, each person owes, oh, a quarter of a million dollars.
And it IS a special occasion. It's a goodbye party for your bank account.
Courtesy of flickr
When I first moved to New York City it was alarming to me that three chunks of cantalope from a deli salad bar could run close to $10 and boxes of cereal were upwards of six. My utilities were higher than they'd ever been at my college apartment in central Pennsylvania and suddenly, a whole paycheck of my entry-level salary didn't even cover my rent. Though I realize the importance of a savings account, the one thing I've never hesitated to indulge in is dining out.
That's not to say I frequent Jean-George and Per-Se on a regular basis ever. It means that if I'm going out with friends for a night of good food and libations, I want to enjoy the evening and not spend it figuring out whose salad cost nine dollars and whose cost seven and where to carry the one when I add the tip.
Of course, unless you are living in a cave, you know that times are tough right now and a lot of people are pinching pennies where they once threw caution to the wind. I saw post on Yahoo! Shine originally from Epicurious that questioned whether frugal eating is acceptable in uncertain economic times.
The author expressed her desire to split entrees and mentioned that she often feels as though waiters are discouraging to patrons who want to share meals. I can see where the author is coming from, being a young professional who is watching both her budget as well as her weight. Most restaurants offer portions that supply more than enough food for two people - and it can be easier on your hips to share your spaghetti carbonara.
However, I can also see the perspective of the waiter, who is earning a living off your appetite and your friend, who might not really want to share his or her meal. Personally, when I go out to eat or drink, I'm not ordering the most expensive items on the menu and I won't choose a fifteen dollar cocktail every time - but once in awhile, especially in a dismal economy, when surrounded by bad news, I see no reason not to treat yourself if you can do so reasonably. When I go out with friends, especially friends with whom I'm comfortable, I like to split the check in half. Even if my dish was $4.86 less, or she drank .47 cents more wine than I did, it will all even out in the end.
If I'm going to enjoy myself, I'm happy to pay for high-quality and if it comes down to it, would prefer to dine out less frequently and be able to treat myself when I do.
What are your feelings on frugality in restaurants? Yay? Nay? Do you like to split the check to the penny or is your motto to "share and share alike?"