In a lot of restaurants, it is not possible to pay separately when dining in company. The proprietors of these restaurants say that they only bill per table as it is less work and moreover, they are allowed to do so by law. However, restaurants that have a “one bill per table rule” must warn customers of this in advance.
"One bill per table”: restaurants are allowed to refuse to bill separately
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When we eat out with friends or family, the restaurant often bills per table. But which of the diners settles the bill and how do you spilt it? This is particularly complicated if there are multiple diners and everyone has eaten and drunk something completely different. Who pays what and how? Do you just spilt the bill equally or does one of you get their calculator out and work out how much each of you owes? This can be a somewhat tedious end to what had been an otherwise pleasant afternoon or evening.
But are restaurants allowed to refuse to charge each guest individually? "Restaurant owners may demand that their customers to pay their bill together as a table. However, they must state clearly on the menu or verbally in advance that this is the case," Matthias De Caluwé of the hospitality trade federation Horeca Vlaanderen explains.
Each restaurant can decide for itself whether spilt billing is allowed of not. It takes more time for the restaurant to split a bill and most would rather invest this time into other things.
If you are not sure what arrangement your restaurant has, you can always ask. If the restaurant works with split bills.
No receipt
At some restaurants you are not given a receipt once you have paid. This makes splitting the bill yourself particularly difficult. However, Matthias De Caluwé says that customers have a right to be given a receipt "If you don't receive one right away, from the waiter it is best to ask for one and then the proprietor will certainly be able to provided you with a receipt”.
Prices have changed
"It is sometimes the case that you have looked up the restaurant’s menu online, but then when you look at the menu in the restaurant itself the prices are different. What amount should you pay then?
"It is logical that the amount you pay is the amount that is shown on the bill. The price may differ online because of a human (typing) error. However, the price stated on the receipt is the price that you will have to pay”
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