If you're hosting the meal, and intend to pay for it, the situation is relatively simple–as our old friend Emily Post sosagely(贤能地)opined back in 1922, "For a host to count up the items is suggestive ofparsimony(过度节俭,吝啬),while not to look at them is disconcertinglyreckless(鲁莽的),and to pay before their faces for what his guests have eaten is embarrassing … Therefore, to avoid this wholetransaction(交易,处理),people who have not charge accounts, should order the meal ahead, and at the same time pay for in advance, including the waiter's tip."
Although, in these days of allergies andpicky(挑剔的)eating, I wouldn't advise ordering ahead, a seemly modern solution is to slip off near the end of the meal as if to the loo, and settle up discreetly while you're away from the table, thus forestalling any protest.
But what if you're (oh dreadful phrase!) splitting the bill? In my experience, people who havehitherto(到目前为止,迄今)appeared perfectly charming can become monsters on the presentation of the damage. "I only had one drink," they announce in an aggressive tone, eyeballing you in a fashion that leaves no doubt that they are well aware that you have not been soabstemious(节制的).And when the assorted notes are added up, and fall mysteriously short, it's never them who offer to help make up the extra, even though you suspect them of having been rather mean in their calculation of their share of the tip.
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