It feels nice to go out for dinner with your friends or families and be able to pick up the tab for the whole table. But you don’t need to make a big scene about it. Instead of creating a fiasco by shoving credit cards in the poor server’s hands, relying on subtlety is the best way to take care of everything. Here are a few ways to get the job done without much hassle.
Planning Ahead
It is the most definitive way to make sure that you pick up the tab for the table. Call the restaurant ahead of time on the day and inform the staff that it’s you who will be paying for the meal tonight. If possible, arrive at the restaurant early to ensure your request is properly understood. Hand over your credit card to the table server to clear up any confusion before the dinner starts. Parents or grandparents can make such a situation tricky by persuading, so factor that into your plan.
Handling Smoothly
You can consider giving your credit card to the table server at the very beginning, just when everyone is ordering. But this method needs smooth moves avoiding any other eyes. Call upon your inner James Bond and sneak your credit card into the menu while handing it back to your server after ordering the meal. A snaky knowing smile may linger on your face, but make sure nobody notices it apart from the server!
Sneaking Away if Needed
It’s one of the best possible ways to ensure that you’re the one who picks up the tab. Excuse yourself to the restroom and use the time to seek out the table server and let them know about your mission. It’s the most common approach to getting the bill for the table and also is most appreciated by servers. But there’s also the risk that someone else from your party has already beaten you at your own game! If that’s the case, better luck next time!
Making the Big Reveal
The arrival of the check at the table is the moment when everyone starts to think about splitting it. For you, it’s time for the big reveal by announcing that the dinner was on you and you had already taken care of the check. Taking the cue, others possibly will start offering to take care of the tip, but you can manage that too if you want to. As they say, generosity is best served with a side of tactful grace!