I used to split the bill evenly, but when T, Tr, and I started going out every Friday, we started paying our own share becauseT doesn't usually drink, I'll have one or two, and Tr would often have 3 or more, so it stopped seeming fair to split.

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But the two people that left early--that was a faux pas, right? Or something? I can't imagine leaving after having eaten or drunk without making some sort of monetary gesture. Especially the drinking part.

Big faux pas, as everyone said. I'd either leave what I thought was my share, or ask if I can settle up later.

But it was an in-honour dinner--you know you're going to pay for more than just your meal. Do you guys usually split those evenly, or do you do the math and then add the appropriate fraction of the honouree's stuff?

Here we'd usually divide the total by the number of people minus the honouree.

I used to end up in situations where we figured everything out, but I'd say the last decade or so it's been just splitting the bill. If I know I drank more than people I was with, I'd throw in a certain percentage more and the others could pay that much less.

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More sidewalk drawings by the same guy:

Those are amazing. I wish there were more pictures from other angles, though. In most of those, I keep trying to imagine what it looks like to the people walking by.

I think our default is pay for your own order. If someone actually notices that everyone's meal cost about the same, we'll split it, but that doesn't happen much and I've certainly never just assumed that we'd do that. Well, if it's my friend Kelly, we just take turns paying for each other because we're lazy, but she's the only person I'd do that with.

Anyway. I can't imagine leaving someone with a bill without even checking first. There are plenty of people I'd buy a meal, but if I don't know in advance that I'm going to be paying for them, there's no guarantee I'll have that much money on me. I don't always carry a credit card with me, especially if I'm going to a bar.

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I don't always carry a credit card with me, especially if I'm going to a bar.

You're afraid you might do some drunk charging?

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I didn't realize so many people split bills evenly. Usually when I go out with friends we'll all ask for separate checks. If the waiter can't handle separate, then we chip in our fair share. Makes me wonder if it's a regional influence.

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You're afraid you might do some drunk charging?

That, and I try to avoid hangovers. It seems to work out better if sober-me decides how drinking I should do, or can afford to do, and only takes that much cash. That way drunk-me cannot pretend that she isn't really drunk and there's no way another beer or two will interfere with getting to work on time tomorrow.

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My friends and I almost always just split the bill, but I find that we usually are pretty even in terms of what we eat/drink. If it's a small group (three or less), then one person usually pays for all. We eat out a lot, so it pretty much comes out in the wash.

The only time it gets wonky is going out with work friends. We are a fairly small staff in my program and we like each other. But some of us are bosses and some are . . . not bosses. The bosses always wind up kicking in more, which is fine, but a little weird.

And I missed Kat. So sad for me. Hi, Kat!

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Announcement: Big Band and Swing music was created in the 1950's.

Analysis: My Younger Boss needs an education on music that came before 1982.

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Announcement: Big Band and Swing music was created in the 1950's.

Analysis: My Younger Boss needs an education on music that came before 1982.

Additional Analysis: Your younger boss makes the baby Satchmo cry.

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Let's say you're walking down the sidewalk, minding your own business, when a guy in a chicken suit waves a sign in your face. Is it OK to punch him in the beak?

How about if he gives you a bad coupon?

(The second scenario is only hypothetical.)

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