When the bill arrives, one of the guests—never me—always suggests that we split the bill. The others readily agree. Although my dish, usually chicken, is dollars cheaper than the others many-ounce steaks and seafood (not to mention the drinks and appetizers), I also agree and pay “my share.” (Heaven forbid should my companions think that I’m cheap!)

Many times, to make my cost for this shared meal more equitable, I order dessert. First I wait to see if the others want dessert and after they proclaim their “no’s,” I blurt out an order for something that is costly. There, I think, if I’m going to pay for their appetizers and drinks, they can help me pay for a luscious dessert! This plan, however, often backfires. My dessert order gives one or more companions permission to order a dessert, too. (If I’m not watching my diet, why should they?) Now the bill goes way, way up!

It’s time for me to take a stand…or give up going out with insensitive (and drinking) partners. It’s time for me to put a stop to high restaurant bills and pay only my fair share. This I vowed to do. But still…won’t I look cheap! I decided that I couldn’t worry about this. I would only pay my fair share!

So how am I doing? Let’s see…last Friday evening I went to an “inexpensive” Italian restaurant with two friends. One had three glasses of wine; the other two (at $7 a shot!) One ordered an appetizer. I had my usual diet cola and a pasta dish while the others ordered expensive veal and seafood dishes. The bill came. I was ready. Then my resolve failed as the two others agreed that we should split the bill. My cost was $55. Fifty-five dollars!

I need help! It’s obvious that the only thing that I have learned the hard way is that I am gutless!