“Dinner scam is right”: Woman embarrasses boyfriend at family dinner when she refuses to pay for his family’s food, the internet backs up her decision to not overspend

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jun 9, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

Money will forever be a source of tension between people. No matter how close you are with someone, money can sneak up on you and sunder the love or connection you thought you had with someone. From friends to foes with one bad night together, one person spent too much, and the other let him without offering to get it the next time. I've definitely had my spats with friends about money. The thing that really gets to me is cheapness. I really can't stand if someone's cheap. If I bring a 6 pack or a bottle to an event and you drink from it, it should be common knowledge and a given that said person should provide the next 6 pack or bottle for the next event. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. I end up feeling like the "provider" for people, which is never comfortable. 

In the story below, money is the tool that comes between a couple. The protagonist is sick of splitting a bill equally with her boyfriend's family. When she tries to have her boundaries, they all get mad at her. 

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  • 01

    AITA for asking for a separate check?

    "Why am I paying for your two apps and entrees?"
    via AleksandarNakic from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So i go out to eat with my bfs family a lot for context. its him me, his 4 siblings, one of the siblings gf, the mom and their stepdad. Every time we go out the check is split 4 ways ( my bf
    via u/plutofantasy

  • It's weird that they're mad at her for spending her own money how she wants to. No one can force you to spend money where you don't see fit, and it's a huge red flag that not only is he mad, but his whole family. At least she knows early on and doesn't have to continue. 

  • 03
    and i together, his brother and his gf, the mom, and the stepdad) no matter how little or much i ordered which is dont think is right for anyone bc if i ordered 4
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 04
    chicken tacos why am i paying for ur 3 beers, 2 apps and entree? so yesterday the waitress came and i asked for my bf and I to have a separate check they all looked at
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10515027712
    via AGfoto from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    me crazy. so they said no together we split it i said no im paying for him and i, he told me no he wanted it together. so i said okay ill just pay for my food.
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 07
    i ordered an appetizer and a side cesar salad the tab was almost $400, why am i splitting it when my food was $25???? so they got
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 08
    mad, i explained i was not paying for stuff i didnt order and im not paying for her childrens meals. when i ordered 2 things. they all got mad and said well we all are splitting it i said that's fine yall
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 09
    can split it and ill pay for my meal. i left the restaurant by myself and didnt attend the things they had planned afterwards, because the situation
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 10
    was obviously not over. my bf goy mad at me and said i embarrassed at the restaurant and for not attending. im at a lost honestly. its the next day and everyone is still mad, AITA??
    via u/plutofantasy
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10515027968
    via Gianluca Pantaleo from corelens / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    GoldMan20k • 12h ago they were you over, they knew they were you over, and then got mad when you called them on their sh...
    via u/GoldMan20k
  • 13
    so, 2 things. 1. you are in the right. 2. you need a new boyfriend because the current one is an idiot.
    via u/GoldMan20k
  • 14
    Artistic-Tough-7764 12h ago NTA - have they said WHY they feel a need for you to subsidize their meals?
    via u/Artistic-Tough-7764
  • 15
    Adelucas 12h ago Time to find a new boyfriend. He's happy to spend your money on his family. He's also happy to chide and chastise you for
    via u/Adelucas
  • 16
    not falling for their dinner scam. At the very least refuse to go eat with them. again in the future, but honestly? Your boyfriend sounds like a
    via u/Adelucas
  • 17
    purrfectglimmer • 12h ago You didn't embarrass anyone, they embarrassed themselves by acting like you committed a crime for having common sense
    via u/purrfectglimmer
  • 18
    . Glittering Focus_2... 12h ago If your bf is adamant the meal should be split 4 ways, then he should pay one of the 4 equal shares. You can
    via u/Glittering_Focus_295
  • 19
    reimburse him for your meal. There, everyone gets what they want.
    via u/Glittering_Focus_295
  • 20
    Celestialrushh⚫ 3h ago like fr why should u pay for their drinks and apps when u barely ate? that's just unfair, everyone should
    via u/Celestialrushh
  • 21
    cover what they order, not split some random way. ur bf's fam acting extra just bc u wanna be fair and not get ripped off lol i get why u dipped early, no point
    via u/Celestialrushh
  • 22
    staying when ppl treat u like that. ur bf needs to chill and stop making u feel bad for standing up for urself
    via u/Celestialrushh
  • 23
    Low_Independenc... • 12h ago I mean, if we're gonna go there why isn't the boyfriend paying for your food if he's trying to split it like that.
    via u/Low_Independence339

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drama relationships lol couples love family paycheck reddit thread Reddit funny money dating
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