Buying rounds of drinks: The Rules

[Crackle]

Seems good to me and by default you've actually told him how to avoid buying a round: Top marks and bugger I seem to have left me like button at home.

 

[nickyboy]

Agreed. Buying a round? then include whatever others are drinking (as long as someone is not going overboard or silly)

I'm much more relaxed about this these days. But as a young guy without much money I was drinking bitter (cheap) whereas some mates were drinking premium lager (not cheap). Anyway, I'm on double VATs when we all meet up, OK?

 

[stephec]

But why should someone on a low income subsidise someone else's expensive taste in food and large capacity for booze? DAHIKT

That does grind my gears a bit - Why the heck should I pay for someone else's meal??

I will try and pay my own, thankyou!

Even worse are the ones that, when the bill is being divided at the end of the meal, will forget all about the drinks they've had, hoping that the difference will be made up by the others, and then not even contribute to a tip.

 

[ColinJ]

Sometimes you win sometimes you don't. Over time it will all even out as long as everyone plays fair.

My biggest issue are people who quibble over a restaurant bill. Just pay a pro rate cost, I don't care if your starter was 50p cheaper.

That's all very well, if you are one of the ones with plenty of money!

Once when I was on £10k p.a. and working with people who were on £20k, we went for a meal.

The interest rates had shot up to 15% and 2/3 of my income was going on my mortgage. I therefore couldn't afford much so I settled for a cheap starter, a simple meal, no dessert, and no booze. My better-paid colleagues stuffed their faces, bought endless bottles of wine, desserts etc. My £5 meal ended up costing me over £25 ...

I never did get that money back.

 

[nickyboy]

That's all very well, if you are one of the ones with plenty of money!

Once when I was on £10k p.a. and working with people who were on £20k, we went for a meal.

The interest rates had shot up to 15% and 2/3 of my income was going on my mortgage. I therefore couldn't afford much so I settled for a cheap starter, a simple meal, no dessert, and no booze. My better-paid colleagues stuffed their faces, bought endless bottles of wine, desserts etc. My £5 meal ended up costing me over £25 ...

I never did get that money back.

With stuff like this I think the only way is to be upfront and say before ordering that you're a bit strapped for cash and would just pay for your own. I think that's quite reasonable and I wouldn't have any problem with someone saying this

15% interest rates dates this to about 1988....nice to see you don't bear a grudge Colin!

 

[ColinJ]

With stuff like this I think the only way is to be upfront and say before ordering that you're a bit strapped for cash and would just pay for your own. I think that's quite reasonable and I wouldn't have any problem with someone saying this

15% interest rates dates this to about 1988....nice to see you don't bear a grudge Colin!

It WAS 1988 and thinking about it does still annoy me!

Before we ordered the meal I was upfront and before ordering I said that I was strapped for cash, would not be ordering drinks, and would pay separately. And then my colleagues got funny about it and didn't stop moaning until I agreed to just cough up my 'fair share'!

 

[ianrauk]

It WAS 1988 and thinking about it does still annoy me!

Before we ordered the meal I was upfront and before ordering I said that I was strapped for cash, would not be ordering drinks, and would pay separately. And then my colleagues got funny about it and didn't stop moaning until I agreed to just cough up my 'fair share'!

That's just shitty behaviour by your colleagues Colin.

 

[Dayvo]

Just be the miserable bugger drinking alone in the corner, keeping himself to himself.

 

[ColinJ]

Just be the miserable bugger drinking alone in the corner, keeping himself to himself.

I have taken to being the miserable bugger who doesn't drink at all, and stays in every night alone!

 

[winjim]

Good rules, although I wouldn't include 4 and 5.

Yeah, a drink's a drink although it's up to the recipient not to take the piss.

Now how about smokers who have "given up" but insist on crashing your fags all night?

 

[ianrauk]

Now how about smokers who have "given up" but insist on crashing your fags all night?

I bet they disappear outside to have a fag when it's their round too.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If you arrive late, make your entrance when you can see everyone's glass is near to full, then make your grand gesture of offering to buy drinks.

That's what nickyboy told me anyway...

 

[Crackle]

That's what nickyboy told me anyway...

That's what he does!

 

[Oxo]

I find buying rounds really irritating. I attend regular family gatherings with upwards of a dozen or so people all drinking weird and wonderful drinks while I, being a non-drinker, will have a couple of soft drinks over the course of the evening. I am expected to, and always do buy a round, making my lime and soda an expensive choice. The same thing happens in the restaurant where bottles of wine and other drinks are added to the bill which is then shared.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

When I was a drinker I hated the round system and would much rather everyone took care of their own drinks. Not everyone can afford it and we all drink at a different pace anyway.