The Moneyist: ‘It’s outrageous that she would order something so expensive’: Should a vegetarian have to pay for a friend’s steak by splitting the bill 50/50?

When I saw her order something so expensive, I felt like ordering a soup or dessert to even the score, but I stayed with my salad. But if I’m being honest, I lost my appetite. My friend has put on weight over the last two decades and, while I have struggled with mine, I have managed to stay within 15 to 20 pounds of my college weight, except during the early days of COVID-19. If she wants to indulge, that’s fine by me. It’s her life. But is it fair for her to split the bill 50/50?

I was taken aback. I thought, “Do the decent thing and leave a tip.” It’s outrageous that she would order something so expensive and expect me to pay for part of it. We only see each other every few years, so I didn’t want to make a fuss. I took a deep breath and nodded when the waitress asked to split the bill down the middle. I couldn’t believe my friend would just sit there and say nothing. We both had wine, and it was not a cheap evening.

It cast a pall over the night, and I left with a bad taste in my mouth. I’m sick of vegetarians paying for our own food and our companion’s main course too. Meat is always more expensive. I don’t eat out as much as I used to, given the way prices have gone, but when I do I expect to pay for my own meal. Inflation is even more oppressive when we veggies have to pay for everyone else’s food as well.

What’s your take? Am I overreacting?

Proud Vegetarian

Dear Proud,

Before I answer your question, I would gently like to caution you against equating your friend’s penchant for beef lasagna with her weight gain — or, worse, with a sense of gluttony. You’re better off sticking to the facts, and not allowing yourself to slide down a slippery slope by crucifying her with the croutons from your Caesar salad. Don’t let a beef lasagna change who you are.

We all have things we like to indulge in: It could be wine and Netflix
NFLX,
-1.64%
for one person, and the gym and protein shakes for someone else. Accept people for who they are. It prevents you from standing in judgment. You may have stayed within 10 to 15 pounds of your college weight, but everybody’s lifestyle, emotional and mental health and metabolism is different. 

As for your meal: If the difference was a few dollars here or there, I would expect the carnivore (in this case) to say, “Mine was expensive. I’ll pay a little more.” You, the vegetarian, could take the opportunity to say, “That’s very nice of you, OK.” Or, “Don’t worry about it! I had more wine.” Of course, it’s always nice when someone offers, and sometimes that’s enough.

The lasagna cost nearly $20 more, almost twice what your salad cost. If your bill came to close to $100 including wine and sales tax, it’s absolutely fine to say, “Would you mind leaving the tip since I only had the salad?” She could say, “Yes, of course,” and nurse a resentment or not. Or she could raise an eyebrow and — unfairly, in my opinion — call you a tightwad.

Rachel is entitled to her humanity too. A friend should not make snarky comments about the other’s weight. You are annoyed with Rachel for not offering, and probably annoyed that you allowed yourself to pay $20 more. It’s your responsibility to speak up if she does not: Your money, your food, your prerogative. Carnivores should eat meat, not take a bite out of their companion’s budget.

But if we always waited for other people to take the initiative, we would be sitting in a restaurant waiting for that bill for an eternity.

Check out the Moneyist private Facebook group, where we look for answers to life’s thorniest money issues. Readers write in to me with all sorts of dilemmas. Post your questions, tell me what you want to know more about, or weigh in on the latest Moneyist columns.

The Moneyist regrets he cannot reply to questions individually.

By emailing your questions, you agree to having them published anonymously on MarketWatch. By submitting your story to Dow Jones & Co., the publisher of MarketWatch, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Also read:

‘I call his kids spoiled. He gets mad’: My partner and I each have two children. He gives his kids gifts worth $1,000. I say we should cut that to $100. Who’s right?

‘My eyes rolled so far back in my head it gave me a headache’: I carpool with two co-workers. One refuses to take turns. With gas prices so high, is that fair?

‘I came into the marriage with a lot more money’: Is it ethical to give cash from my pre-marital investment accounts to my kids — without telling my second wife?

Learn how to shake up your financial routine at the Best New Ideas in Money Festival on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 in New York. Join Carrie Schwab, president of the Charles Schwab Foundation.