Beating the bill blues

MORE and more I notice little signs around restaurant and café checkouts begging patrons not to ask for separate bills and I’m sympathetic towards the restaurateurs’ plight.

At a busy lunch or dinner imagine the chaos at the till when a large table departs with each person requiring an individual account. Restaurant staff find it increasingly frustrating as debates rage as to who drank what and remembering exactly what their meals were.

The time consumed by individual patrons is costly and frightening and often not resolved satisfactorily for the patrons or the restaurateur. Ladies are the most frequent villains of the practice.

Certainly, you may be right to pay exactly your share of the account, but why not work it out at the table before the party breaks up. I some change is required, I’m certain a staff member will arrange it quietly and without fuss.

Yes, you are able to pay your portion by credit card but have it correct at the table to allow staff to easily do the sums and all depart friends.