Have you lost potential friends because you were too frugal?

[Ceece]

I split entrees at restaurants all the time. Usually we have an appitizer or three, then split the bigger part of the meal. I especially do this with my daughter since we are both foodies and love trying a little bit of this and a little bit of that. And if we have alcohol (which I try to avoid but is sometimes necessary for a special meal) the bill is going to be high anyway. I don't see a problem here, it's business the place wouldn't have had if we stayed home and we get to indulge in our favorite pasttime without breaking the bank. It's win-win.

I also split IN-N-OUT meals with my dad because he has a small appitite and I love it but my weight doesn't

[duster1979]

Originally Posted by WyoEagle

Splitting an entree because you can't eat the whole portion is one thing. Splitting an entree because you are cheap is a difference.

From the customer's perspective there's a difference, but from the restaurant's perspective it's still two people eating one meal.

Many restaurants charge a "plate fee" to discourage people from splitting entrees, and I have no problem with that as long as it's stated up front that they charge for it.

Ultimately, they're probably getting a second drink order and possibly an appetizer as well; plus how many restaurants have tables for one? I don't see a real difference between two people at a table eating one meal and one person at the same table eating one meal.

Let's also not forget that you can take uneaten portions home with you.

Theoretically, yes. But what if the meal is the first stop of several on an evening out and it's going to be several hours before you can get the food home to the refrigerator? And some meals simply don't reheat well.

[Dayton Sux]

Friends cost money.

Typically you "do things" with freinds, such as eating out, going out drinking, having them out for dinner, etc. You might do these things anyway might you might be doing "more" of them if you have friends, and this adds up....

....for example maybe you go out for dinner or drinks with three freinds once/month, one going-out per freind. So those are three expenses you would ordinarly not occurr. Or you could have them over for dinner...which means more food for that day than you'd ordinarly cook.

So, you can see how freinds cost money. Even a little bit more money, but they are not "Free" in the monetary sense.