University student refuses to foot the bill for their friend's birthday dinner after friends order ‘enough sushi for a small country’ and take back their offer of paying for the bill

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jul 19, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Why hasn't the entire world normalized getting separate checks yet? Splitting the bill is inherently uncomfortable, no matter how close you are with the folks you're dining with. Money makes people feel and act weird, and that's likely because it is the root of all evil…

Grand opinion about the world we live in aside, splitting the bill for birthday dinners is probably the worst case scenario in terms of check-splitting. Do you pay for the birthday-haver? Is the birthday-haver responsible for the dinner bill because they expected everyone to come out and show face? The answer: It depends. That's why bill-splitting stinks.

The issue in this next story proves that sentiment tenfold. If you attended a dinner where folks insisted that you order whatever you want, would you do so? Probably not, but I'm sure you'd get at least something. The birthday dinner this university student attends proves that even when you're polite, an entitled person will still try to take advantage of you. We'll let the story speak for itself. Scroll below.

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  • "Respectfully, we are broke uni students & we were not the ones telling people to order freely."|
    via JSB Co. For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "AITA for not footing the bill for a birthday dinner after my friend ordered enough sushi for a small country?"

    Throwaway also, English isn't my first language, so sorry if anything sounds off. I just need an outside opinion.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • My friend Beth recently turned 18 and had a birthday dinner at a fancy restaurant. There were about 15 or 20 of us. She is really
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  • close with two girls, Lia and Kat. They have been best friends for years and have this very intense, no-boundaries type of friendship. They go through each other's phones, eat off each other's plates, that kind of thing.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • I met them last year when uni started. I am not used to that. Even with friends I have known forever, I ask before I touch their stuff or try their food. The trio teases me for this habit & they say I am too formal.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • At dinner, Lia, told everyone to order whatever they wanted and that it was all covered. I asked if she was sure and she said, "Me saying it is the same as Beth saying it." It felt a bit off, but I let it go.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • I just ordered a Coke and shared some of what was on the table. I asked Lia if I could get a brand she gave me a weird look and said, "Idk" So I asked Beth, and
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  • she said I could but that her parents do not like alcol, so I would need to pay for it myself. I said that was not a problem but
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  • still was getting dirty looks from Lia (maybe she wanted a b r too but didn't want to pay idk) so ended up not ordering it to avoid more awkwardness.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • ENAI
    via Fábio Alves for Unsplash

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Later, I saw Beth sitting with my friend Millie and she looked really upset. Her mom had called and was angry because the bill was
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  • much higher than expected. Beth said Lia went overboard with the ordering and now she had to deal with it. I felt really bad said
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  • maybe next time she could plan a set menu or do the ordering herself. We stayed with her, comforted her, and tried to help her feel better. Lia was across the room laughing acting like nothing happened.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • The bill got paid and we all left. Millie and I just gave each other that look like, "That was wild," and moved on.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • A few days later, Lia sent me angry texts. She said Millie and I were stirring up drama and trying to come between her and Beth
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  • and ruined her rep infront of Beth's parents. She also said that if we felt so bad for Beth, we should send her mom the money.
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  • I was honestly shocked. We did not say anything bad about Lia. We just tried to be kind when Beth was upset.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • I told her no. Respectfully, we are broke uni students & we were not the ones telling people to order freely.
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • Now everything is awkward and tense and I hate it. I want to sort it out, but I do not think I should be blamed for all of it right? Sorry if this all sounds like petty high school drama. Should I have just paid to keep the peace?
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • TL;DR: Friend's birthday dinner got out of hand. I barely ordered anything, comforted her when she got upset, and now another friend says I caused drama and should help pay. I said no. AITA?
    via Mission_Pen_1201
  • duckoffthanks NTA and I'd cut Lia out. She spoke for Beth and told everyone it was essentially a free for all. She continued to hijack the dinner and order more food than needed. And now that Beth's parents are mad and you provided comfort she's lashing out cause she knows she's the issue.
    via duckoffthanks

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friendship aita entitled parents university entitlement best friends birthday friends reddit story restaurant friend entitled people karma dinner bill entitled reddit thread r-entitled Reddit college check entitled people
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