If at all possible, I avoid dining in large groups ’cause come cheque time, it’s all sorts of awkward! This is especially true when some knob suggests on splitting the bill…”evenly”.
If my avoidance tactic has failed, and I can’t get out of the dinner, I usually come up with a plan of attack. Since math is not my strong suit, I have even snuck off to the washroom, called my bf to be my own personal “tip calculator”.
(Yes, somehow even with advances in technology, i.e. the tip calculator feature on my cell phone, I have managed to get screwed over on the whole group billing thing!)
One incident that I will never forget, and will hold as a lesson learned, is when B, a friend of mine invited me out for dinner with her group of friends. One of B‘s friends was celebrating a birthday.
Backstory: B was a good friend who was constantly travelling for work, so this was a rare occasion where she was back in town for a bit. At the time, I had chosen to be unemployed to focus on my writing, full-time. So needless to say, money was tight.
After doing some pre-ordering online, I knew that it wouldn’t break the bank to order a $10 sandwich, so I told B that I’d tag along!
Anyway, on the way there, we hit some traffic and since the rip-off restaurant was downtown, we had to find parking. By the time we met with the rest of the party, they had already started eating (and drinking) as we were a bit late.
Snag #1: Foiling my strategy of ordering a $10 sandwich, someone suggested we order off the tapas menu. 🙁 Btw, if you don’t know what tapas are, they are small dishes of food, like dim sum, but more expensive!
With my limited math skills, things didn’t seem to be getting that out of hand. Fast forward to the bill arriving…
Snag #2: Someone, probably the same person who suggested the tapas, shouts out, “Let’s split the bill!” Are. You. Serious? And of course, the birthday person was excluded, fine.
Snag #3: The food that was ordered before I arrived was included on this Even Steven bill. And if that wasn’t bad enough, someone, probably same person as #1 & #2, had a $40/glass of wine and never stepped forward. So as per Snag #2, I ended up paying for food I never ate and some guy’s expensive choice in spirits! Tacky.
In order to pay my portion of the bill, another friend had to spot me…under the table. How humiliating.
After the bill was settled, someone suggests that we head to Chinatown ’cause the majority of the people were still hungry. Great. Since I hitched a ride with B, I was at her mercy to rejoin everyone at yet another restaurant.
Since there was nothing left in my wallet ‘cept pocket-lint, I lied and stated that I was utterly stuffed from the limited tapas that I indulged in. So I didn’t order anything. I just sat, silently fuming, at the Chinese restaurant, growing sick and tired of the company.
When the measly $15 bill arrived at the table, $40-Wine-Guy insisted on picking up the tab ’cause he felt “bad” at the tapas restaurant. A bit late, don’t you think, bud?
So unless you enjoy getting rypped, do what you can to avoid these awkward group dinners OR ask for separate bills!
Here are these weeks Costco coupons for those of you that would like to plan your shopping trip. Thanks to couponlady for posting them!
East:
West:
Today is Victoria Day. Yes we all know to celebrate a past Queen, but how many of us actually know some history about her? For many May 2 4 has become a “party weekend” the first weekend to camp and drink beer, or perhaps to stay at home and get the yard and planting done.
I’ve put some quick fact together about Queen Victoria.
Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901
She married her first cousin in 1840 (ummn ew)
She had 9 children. 26 of 42 grandkids married into the royal family
She held the longest reign of any British female Monarch, 63 years and 7 months
She set the world wide trend of the “white” wedding dress. Still honoured to this day
Her first language was German but she also spoke English, French and Hindi
She survived 7 assassination attempts ( I do believe thats a few more then fifty cent)
Want more info? Check out Wikipedia
Happy Holiday!
Today only save yourself 15% off online orders. Simply enter the code “15VICTORIA” at checkout. I haven’t ordered online with People’s before so I’m not sure how their customer service is but I’m sure it’s the same as in-store.
Click here to shop online.
Here’s a nice little coupon for a half priced salad from McDonald’s. You have to print the coupon and present it to the cashier when you’re paying to get your discount. Some people are also getting this coupon in the mail, but if you don’t just click here to print one. Offer is valid from May 17 to June 13.
Thanks to couponlady for posting this coupon.
Bumping up
Amazon.ca has some great markdowns on Paderno again. These are even cheaper then what our Home Hardware offers them when they do a Paderno truckload sale.
Small Eco Pan $29.41
Medium Eco Pan $35.29
Large Eco Pan $41.18
Click here for other Paderno items on sale at Amazon.
I love Paderno, I have a few of their pans and bowls and I really am impressed with their performance. We just bought my father in law a set and he loves Paderno now too.
Thank twitch for the heads up on this sale.
From now until June 19, you will get a $25 savings card for every $50 you spend at Reitmans. Savings card is redeemable on future purchases of $75 (pre-tax) from August 7th to September 4th 2011, in-store only. If you shop at Reitmans a lot this is a great promo for you. I have a friend that loves Reitmans because they sell pants in tall sizes. And if your in the market for some new shorts, they have some on sale for $20.
Thanks to couponlady for posting this sale for us!
Magnum is a new ice cream bar that’s just been introduced recently in Canada. They are offering free sampling events throughout the summer.
Caprice – Vancouver: May 28th 2011 967 Granville Street
Maison – Toronto: June 4th 2011 15 Mercer Street
Espace Griffintown – Montreal: June 11th 2011 1314 Olier
Holts – Vancouver: June 11th 2011 737 Dunsmuir Street
Barcelona – Vancouver: June 17th 2011 1180 Granville Street
Holts – Toronto: June 18th 2011 50 Bloor Street West
MMVAs – Toronto: June 19th, 2011 82 Peter Street
Dolce – Toronto: July 2nd, 2011 647 King St. W.
Boathouse – Vancouver: July 16th 2011 1795 Beach Avenue
La Mouche – Montreal: July 16th 1284, rue Saint-Denis
Click here (Facebook) for more information on this event.
Thanks Sunshine88 for the heads up.
Anna Sui is offering a nice little gift with purchase right now while quantities last or until June 3rd. Spend $60 or more and receive this great gift.
Free gift includes:
*Lip Gloss
* Mini Hand Cream 10g
* Mini Moisturizing Cream 10g
*Anna Sui Tote Bag
🙂
Click here to check out this gwp offer at Sears.ca
Right now Roots is offering up to 50% off select clearance watches! This sale is only on for the next 10 days, online only.
Click here to check out the sale.
Thanks Sunshine88 for the heads up on the sale.
Yay, BookCloseOuts has a new sale! You can now save an additional 25% on their already lower priced Pocket Books. They have close to 3000 titles to choose from so you are sure to find something. This is a great sale to take advantage of if you need to pick up some summer reading, maybe even some beach books!
Click here to go to the sale at BookCloseOuts.
Coppertone Canada is giving away some really cute tote bags on Facebook. All you have to do is “Like” them and fill out the order form to get yours. It would be a great little bag to take to the beach this summer. Also, if you upload a photo to Coppertone’s fan page, they will donate $1 to the Boys and Girls Club of Canada to help them run their summer programs.
Click here to order your Coppertone tote bag.
Jacob Canada is having a Victoria Day sale. They have 50 styles that they have discounted by 50% in their stores (no online shopping for this one). Also, all regular priced accessories are 40% off. Jacob always has some great trendy pieces to add to your wardrobe and some classic staples too. With all these sales the mall is sure to be a happening place this long weekend.
Thanks to couponlady for posting this sale for us.
