I went to dinner with friends, including Susan and Greg, who often order expensive meals and expect

others to split the bill. That night, I only had a soda while they racked up nearly $200 in food and cocktails.

When the check came, I suggested we each pay for what we ordered instead of dividing it evenly.

They reluctantly agreed but were clearly irritated.The next day, both called to complain.

They accused me of being “cheap” and “ruining the group vibe.” I calmly explained that it wasn’t about drama

— I simply didn’t think it was fair to cover their extravagant choices when I hadn’t shared in them.

After some back and forth, they admitted they’d gotten used to others picking up the slack.

Later that week, several friends reached out privately. They confessed they’d felt the same way but hadn’t wanted to speak up. My decision gave them the

confidence to set boundaries. The next time we went out, everyone ordered more reasonably, and the mood was lighter, free of hidden resentment.

Standing up for yourself can feel uncomfortable, but sometimes it resets the tone for everyone. That dinner didn’t just save money — it saved friendships.