Dear Slice of Life,
I am starting to refuse dinner invitations as I don’t drink and end up splitting the cheque anyway.
Should I tell my friends how I feel?
I kind of think they should realize so am not sure what to say.
Dear ‘I don’t drink’,
Firstly, let me acknowledge how tricky this situation must be for you. It’s understandable that you feel conflicted about dealing with the cost-splitting issue, especially when you’re not partaking in alcohol consumption which usually increases the bill.
Let’s break this down. It’s important to remember that your choice not to drink is a personal one, and it’s completely valid. Your friends might not realize that your non-drinking habit is financially impacting you when it comes to splitting the cheque.
It’s not always easy for others to see things from our perspective without us pointing it out.
Communication is key in this situation. If you haven’t already, you should consider having an open and honest conversation with your friends about your feelings. Let them know that you enjoy their company but feel it’s unfair to split the bill evenly when you are not consuming alcohol.
They may not have considered this before, and your openness could help them understand your viewpoint.
On the other hand, it’s also important to consider that your friends may see bill-splitting as a part of the shared dining experience, regardless of individual consumption. They might not be deliberately overlooking your non-drinking habit, but rather, they might just be following a common social practice.
As an example, let’s take a look at a similar situation faced by my reader, Sarah. Sarah was a vegetarian who often dined out with her meat-eating friends. She felt that splitting the bill equally was unfair as her dishes were usually cheaper.
When she communicated her feelings, her friends were understanding and adjusted their bill-splitting practices. This kind of open dialogue can lead to a resolution that suits everyone.
Remember, you have every right to express your feelings and seek a fair solution. Your friends should respect your honesty and hopefully, they will be more considerate in the future.
Confronting these situations isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it to ensure your comfort and financial fairness. You have the strength to navigate this, and I believe you’ll handle it with grace and understanding.
I hope this « Slice of life » proves useful and do keep coming back for more soon!
