6 Countries Where You Shouldn’t Split the Bill

Splitting a restaurant bill is a relatively common custom in the United States. No matter what city you find yourself in, odds are that you’ll have little to no issue requesting separate checks. But the same doesn’t necessarily hold true internationally. In some countries, splitting a bill is simply unheard of, while in others it’s considered impolite or culturally taboo. For this reason, it’s a good idea to brush up on restaurant etiquette before trying to pay for a meal abroad, especially if you find yourself dining with locals. Here are six nations where locals rarely split the bill, and why.

Greece

In Greece, there are two reasons why splitting the bill isn’t common. The first has to do with local customs: Many Greeks consider it their duty as hosts to cover the bill for any friends or family they may have invited out. Rather than divide up restaurant checks, it’s common for people in Greece to alternate who pays. So if you front the money for one meal, expect to be treated next time.

Another reason that splitting the bill is a challenge in Greece is that many point-of-sale systems don’t allow it to be done easily if you’re paying by credit card. In 2023, Greece introduced a new, more complicated five-step payment process that makes it more cumbersome for restaurants to split the bill, so establishments tend to strongly prefer you pay with one credit card.

Lebanon

Like in Greece, Lebanese people and those in other Arab cultures consider it a point of pride to cover the check when out at dinner. Many individuals go so far as to argue (in good spirits) over who gets to pay, whether it’s a formal affair or a casual get-together among friends. 

Because of this, suggesting to split the bill is likely to be met with confused stares. Writing for the blog 365 Days of Lebanon, one local said, “We Lebanese do NOT split the tab at the restaurant. We fight to death for the right to pay up (while sometimes, wistfully thinking that the ‘opponent’ is going to pay it all).” So, if you find yourself dining out with locals in Lebanon, feel free to engage in a lighthearted argument, but don’t be surprised if your meal gets covered in the end.

Vietnam

The idea of “going Dutch” is also uncommon in Vietnam. Many Vietnamese diners — especially men or the oldest person in the group — will insist on picking up the cost of a meal or the entire alcohol bill. Some people, especially those in older generations, consider this to be a cultural obligation. While the practice of splitting the bill is becoming more common with younger generations, restaurants generally won’t provide individual checks, so the total is usually split evenly.

Mexico

Despite Mexico’s close proximity to the United States, splitting the bill is an uncommon practice with our neighbors to the south. According to Tasting Table, a request to split the total into separate checks is generally frowned upon at restaurants in Mexico. If you’re dining out with a group, it’s best to use just one card to pay, and figure out splitting up the bill later through a service such as Zelle, Venmo, or Splitwise.

China

While splitting the bill is certainly gaining steam with younger folks in China, it’s still an unfamiliar concept to older generations. In the 2010s, many Chinese restaurants began making it possible for each diner to scan a QR code and pay their individual share. The practice was particularly popular with young Chinese diners, who found it easier to pay with smartphones.

Writing for CNN in 2015, however, Beijing-based journalist Shen Lu said that many people still found the concept of splitting the bill to be “embarrassing and stingy,” since the practice of one person paying is ingrained in Chinese culture. So if you find yourself dining out in China, keep these age differences in mind.

France

While splitting the bill isn’t unheard of in France, friends are far more likely to take turns paying and treating each other, and the person who orchestrated the outing is generally the one who’s expected to pay. It’s usually possible for tourists to split the bill in France, and many restaurants are capable of doing so, but if you’re dining with French locals it’s generally considered impolite to share the bill or even to talk about money among friends.