We are going to Italy with some good friends of ours. I have been to riviera and Como area but not with friends. Can we ask the waiter to give us separate checks? If so, is their a term other than "May we have separate checks"! <BR>

Please help me understand the need for separate checks as I have never understood this concept. Is it really that difficult to figure out approximately what each couple owes as opposed to having the waiter have to do it for you? I'm not trying to be sarcastic - I really am curious as to why people do this. Thanks.

I like separate checks because it allows both parties to use credit cards. In addition, I think it is tacky to sit in a restaurant and review charges i.e. "who had the ___" in English let alone another language. Being that people have different means and spending priorities, separate checks seems to be the most comfortable way to go. <BR>

Forget it unless you want the wrath of every waiter to come down on you. Decide who is going to use their credit card that evening and pay that person after you leave the restaurant. Next time the other one can use hers/his. <BR>

How can they be good friends if you need seperate checks! You must have good reasons for seperate checks, but it is something we have never done. Have a great trip.

I think we need to be a less judgmental in this forum, especially since we don't know each other. <BR>There could be many reasons why separate checks would be preferable, even among friends, including: some diners drink cocktails and wine and others don't; some diners always order the most expensive thing on the menu and others don't; some diners only want a main course while others want a complete dinner; some diners want to track their personal or business expenses via credit card statements;some people are not comfortable with dividing the bill later and asking their friends for the money;some are on a tighter budget than others; and I'm sure many other reasons. <BR>Ask for separate checks, in a restaurant you can ask (within reason) for what you need. I wouldn't do this in a neighborhood snack bar necessarily, but that's just me. If you get a disapproving look or refusal, politely ask for the manager. <BR>

I also don't like requesting two checks in a restaurant. Generally we just split the bill, assuming that one person has not totally overindulged. But, for whatever reason you would ask for "due conti, per piacere" but if it looks like it's going to be a big struggle, I would be prepared to give up. I certainly wouldn't recommend calling a manager! <BR>

Good afternoon to all. <BR>In reading the above, I totally agree with Boots, Vince and Kam. Seperate checks , I personally feel that two pr. or 3 pr of GOOD FRIENDS can merely split the check and be done with it. If we went out with a COUPLE that wanted seperate checks, I know darn well, it would be the last, I have more confidence in our friends, not cheap.. <BR>Richard of Hickory Hills, Il..... <BR>

<BR> The elitist posts written above show how this board is most often the domain of the rich snobby types. It is nobodies damned business why people might want to split the check. You rich folk can do what you like, my advice is to POLITELY ask for the waiter to split the check. If he-she gives you any flack, DO ask to see the mngmnt. <BR> Please, Mr. Thurston Howelll and Luvvy types, remember that not everyone makes 100 grand per year. Yes, us po' folk of modest means like to travel too!!! You rich, judgemental bastards can go to hades!!

Be advised that, even if you politely request separate checks, you will probably receive only one for your entire party. Your waitperson will most likely ignore your request or feign misunderstanding, and the manager will do likewise. In Europe, tradition, etiquette and manners are held in much higher regard. Whoever extends the invitation is the "host" of the occasion and accepts responsibility for the tab. Friends take turns entertaining each other. "When in Rome, live as the Romans. When elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere" (St. Augustin)

I would never dream of asking for separate checks at a restaurant, either in the U.S. or in Europe. I have too much respect and trust in my friends. And unless "midincome" of the above post knows something I don't, I don't make anywhere near 100 grand. <BR>

Another Ugly American??? God help us. Some people just need to vent no matter how silly they sound to the rest of us. <BR>

Geez--seems like a simple question. I <BR>think the outraged poor people on this <BR>board should learn how to read and <BR>comprehend simple English, as should <BR>others who seem to confuse the issue of <BR>separate checks (which is all the post <BR>asked about) versus dividing a common bill up equally so everyone pays the same amount. These are two completely diff. things. There are certainly reasons one would want their own bill having nothing to do with insulting people or being cheap--most likely being wanting to pay by credit card, and to keep track of their finances and budget. This would make even more sense if you're dining in expensive restaurants and dining with the same couple for sev. days--it would be much more inconvenient in that case to carry around the necessary cash to give someone else your share. However, if you're talking about cheap dinners or lunches, I agree, this would be unnecessary and you'd be a pain <BR>to ask for it. It is, of course, <BR>inappropriate to compare what people do on a vacation with what Europeans do when entertaining friends in their home towns. <BR> <BR>

Says who? Who's comparing? Any seasoned traveler knows that, when visiting foreign lands, it is just so much more pleasant to be aware of and adapt to the local ways of doing things. Manners make a huge difference. Note that the original request did not include the word "please".

Thanks For Replies to My Posting... <BR> <BR>Whew! You would think my posting had something to do with manhood or how one feels about the Bill Clinton mess. Thanks for the comments and suggestions. There are truly some good replies. By my count. there are approximately 5 helpful replies and 3 that would never be our GOOD FRIENDS (so you would have to pick up the entire tab - no split for you). <BR> <BR>Duck Observations..... <BR> <BR>1. The helpful replies are from women and the personal agendas are from men. Why is that? <BR> <BR>2. Definition of GOOD FRIENDS. The other couple has been friends for 35 years - each others weddings, pledge brothers, dozens of meals, shared vacations, etc. We also split 50/50 when we go out to eat. 40 Italian meals where the difference will be $20 or so - does that change things? Cash carried is a major concern. <BR> <BR>3. Thanks for pointing out that I am a cheapskate and piker. As a result, I am thinking of calling our children and asking them for their split of the trip we gave them last week-end to San Francisco. <BR> <BR>4. For all future Posters - make sure your question ontains FULL explanations, including all "please, pretty pleases, gracias, merci, thank you, mother may I, etc." and make sure you talk about how experienced you are as a traveler. Also, any footnotes will also be helpful and appreciated. <BR> <BR>Closing.......... <BR> <BR>Again, thanks for the answers to my posting and the ill informed personal cutting remarks from the know it alls. I hope all are enjoying the postings as much as I am. Keep up the good work. This is much more fund than Fox News. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR> <BR>The cheapskate, inexperienced, rude (did I forget something?) Duck <BR>

It is always entertaining to read the responses to what seem like the most innocuous questions! I don't know if this works in Europe, but in US we just ask the waiter to put X amount on one person's credit card, and X amount on the other person's. No waiter has ever refused. <BR> <BR>We once went to France with some good friends for 15 days. We had been before and they had not, so their idea was to pool all funds and pay for meals from the pot! This being a little too communal for my husband and I, we just took turns buying. Our eating and drinking styles were similar, though.