It doesn’t matter if you’re actually talking business, whose idea it was to go out, if you’re also sort of friends, who can expense it, or who ate or drank more. Now, here are some things that should not enter into the picture. That trivializes what they’ve done for you and suggests that’s all their time is worth. If it’s not over a meal, do not say something like, “I owe you a lunch” like so many do. Whoever’s getting a favor should pay. If someone is making a business introduction, coaching you, or helping you out in some material way, if it happens to be over a meal, then you should pick up the tab–if you can afford to, that is. Also some companies have a policy against vendors buying. If the vendor is a small business and the customer is a large corporation or the vendor traveled to the customer’s home country, that’s a different story. That’s because her company is presumably on the receiving end of a business transaction. The vendor usually picks up the tab. In a customer-vendor relationship, the vendor usually pays. I don’t care if someone had wine with his entrée and you just had a salad. Never get into it over who had what or ask the waiter for separate checks. I’d do the former, but if you decide to split it, do it evenly. At that point, you have two choices: plunk down your credit card or suggest you all split it. The more time passes, the more uncomfortable it gets. If nobody picks up the check, you should. If the waiter drops off the check and nobody goes for it, that’s just awkward. “If the waiter drops off the check and nobody goes for it, that’s just awkward.” Just thank them–and try to be quicker on the draw next time. If someone offers to pay, don’t start some testosterone-fueled battle over who should pick it up. I don’t know where or when I first heard that, but I’ve followed it for ages and it’s never failed me yet. If someone offers, graciously accept. I believe that, when you accept a gift, you honor the giver. If they don’t, they don’t just look cheap. Even if everyone isn’t in the same organization, senior level people should definitely offer to pick up the tab. The boss should always pay. If there is a boss at the table, even a former boss, he should pay. Here are five rules for knowing when to pick up the check. Why take a chance on looking foolish, cheap, or both? I’ve got a better idea. In my experience, everyone’s got their own little formula they hope works. If you’ve ever wondered what the etiquette is for this sort of thing, join the club. Some even keep track of who buys and who doesn’t. You may think it’s silly or unprofessional to make a big deal out of something as trivial as a few bucks. Worst case, your thoughtlessness or ad-hoc solution to the dilemma can create a rift in a business relationship. Then what? Who picks up the tab?īest case, it’s an awkward moment. You’re having dinner or lunch with people you work with. No matter who you are or what you do for a living, this is one dilemma you’re going to face again and again.
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