A viral video has reignited a controversial dinner topic: the rules for paying the bill while out with a group.
The discussion was sparked by a clip from Queen Naija’s Twitch stream. The former YouTuber turned R&B artist was on vacation having dinner when the check, said to be $1,300, arrived.
“Do you want to split the bill or pay for each meal?” Naija asked the table. “We can just split it by couple.”
The “Medicine” singer is seen on camera calculating what she and her fiancé, Clarence White, ordered throughout the night. In the background, it appears the other attendees are doing the same. Someone can be heard saying their food is complimentary.
At one point, White says: “I just want to leave. Where’s the tap to pay?” Moments later, he then turns to Naija, “I’m about to take it up there, and I’m about to pay. … We’ve been here way too long.”
When he returned to the table, he added: “I don’t like debating over the bill. I just pay it and be out. You know that’s like one of my pet peeves. A lot of times I just pay everything.”
Internet talks dinner etiquette
Towards the end of the video, after the group leaves the restaurant, they begin debating about how the situation was handled, before Naija decides to mute and end the stream.
The incident led people to share their own opinions about dinner etiquette on social media.
“So you telling me if me and mines only had fries and drinks, I have to pay for your Shrimp and Lobster too?” one person wrote on X.
Another commenter had a different view: “Why can’t one person just pay, that’s embarrassing.” Someone else chimed in, “reasons i dont do group dinners….. it ALWAYS ends like this..”
An expert’s advice on splitting the bill
Speaking to USA TODAY in 2024, Elaine Swann, a lifestyle and etiquette coach in Carlsbad, California, gave advice on how to tackle group dinner chaos, including having the conversation about bill payment ahead of time.
“My recommendation is to embrace the awkward. Find out who’s paying for what,” Swann said, adding: ““I like to say exchange momentary displeasure for long-term hassle. Once you find that out, then you can really enjoy your dining experience.”
Contributing: Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@usatodayco.com.