Dividing a restaurant bill using mechanism design

[iago]

http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2008/01/29/game-theory-tuesdays-dividing-a-restaurant-bill/

I haven't read the whole thing yet, but it sounds promising.

<edit> IMO, the person's solution is crazy. I can't tell whether or not it's supposed to be a joke.

[truste1]

It does sound good, but it also doesn't seem very well mannered. I admit the problem is legitimate, and since I always order water I can see how drinks make it even more unfair. But at the same time I see it as kind of rude to give people a limited menu on what they can order.

[iago]

Yeah, I always get water and don't drink alcohol, so I often get screwed by the "dividing evenly" idea. Luckily, we only divide evenly if we've had roughly the same thing (my friend gets a drink and I get dessert or something).

Generally, we just put in something that's more than what we fairly owe, and leave whatever excess is there as a tip (that sometimes results in a 25% - 50% tip, but eh?)

[rabbit]

Over tipping is a good idea at places you visit regularly, because then the servers will remember "that guy('s party) always tips great.  Let's treat him well."  Anyway, divide evenly has always worked well for me, since I don't really go to upscale places and we usually go at happy hour anyways.  His method is like......weird.  I can understand doing it for a birthday party or whatever, but not for every time you go out socially.

[CrAz3D]

I dont understand the concept of "splitting the bill."  Everytime I've ever been out we do separate checks, pitch for what we got, or just one person pays.

[iago]

You don't understand the concept of splitting the bill?

[CrAz3D]

*understand why you would do it

[iago]

Did you not read the article? The whole first half is about the situations when the problem arises.

[CrAz3D]

I did.  I just dont understand why people would ever split the bill equally.

[Quik]

My group of friends has always done the "pay what you ordered" method, and it usually works out with enough tax and tip. However, sometimes we'll come up short, especially in big parties where there could be some random people. If it's not too much trouble or we know the server personally, we'll ask for separate checks. I have never even considered splitting the bill evenly, makes no sense whatsoever..

The solution presented in the article is outrageous. Who would want to go to a dinner, and be further limited by the options they can choose just because it makes it a little easier to pay? I'll pay for my meal, you pay for yours (you cheapskate), and we won't have an issue and I can eat what I want.

[iago]

I have never even considered splitting the bill evenly, makes no sense whatsoever..

We've done it a few times, normally when we all get close to the same thing and we want to make it easy for everybody.

The solution presented in the article is outrageous. Who would want to go to a dinner, and be further limited by the options they can choose just because it makes it a little easier to pay? I'll pay for my meal, you pay for yours (you cheapskate), and we won't have an issue and I can eat what I want.

Yeah, I assumed it was a joke at first, it's pretty out there.

[CrAz3D]

I have never even considered splitting the bill evenly, makes no sense whatsoever..

We've done it a few times, normally when we all get close to the same thing and we want to make it easy for everybody.

Wow, even when we all pitch for pizza and/or beer it isnt equal pitches.  Some eat/drink more, so they pitch more.

[Quik]

I have never even considered splitting the bill evenly, makes no sense whatsoever..

We've done it a few times, normally when we all get close to the same thing and we want to make it easy for everybody.

Wow, even when we all pitch for pizza and/or beer it isnt equal pitches.  Some eat/drink more, so they pitch more.

With a pizza, it's a little different. In that case, you're usually sharing with good friends, who usually don't mind helping eachother out. I've had situations where people pay per slice, or per beer, but that's kinda lame. Most of the time we just all pitch in before we buy the pizza, and eat what we feel like.

[iago]

I have never even considered splitting the bill evenly, makes no sense whatsoever..

We've done it a few times, normally when we all get close to the same thing and we want to make it easy for everybody.

Wow, even when we all pitch for pizza and/or beer it isnt equal pitches.  Some eat/drink more, so they pitch more.

Well, say four of us go out and get two large pizzas (doesn't apply anymore because people seem to dislike cheeseless pizzas, but whatever). We all eat half, two people get a drink, the other two get a dessert. On average, we all had about the same. Or, two people split an appetizer and two people get drinks or desserts. We used to do that all the time, we'd agree that we all get about half a pizza and one "extra" (and if somebody didn't get an extra, they knew they were paying more). It generally worked out.

Plus, what's $5 or so among friends? As long as somebody isn't actively trying to screw the others, which we don't, it works out.

[CrAz3D]

Yeah, if it's about the same I can understand.  But $30 steak vs. $7 salad?  Why split evenly?

[Camel]

We (3 of us) go out once a week - one person buys each week, on a rotation. The person who is paying that week gets to choose the restaurant - if they're feeling particularly poor that week, we go somewhere cheap.