Post # 1
Member
502 posts
Busy bee
Just wondering if anyone has an extreme “cheapskate” (those who find it hard to part with money) in their family or circle of friends? We have a cheapskate in the family who despite having a very well paying job and being very well off, he is extremely cheap. I have no problem with people living within their means or trying to save money but he is ridiculous and his behaviour really bothers me. There is a point where I feel that self respect is more important than trying to save that extra dollar. Like taking rubbish from the side of the road and taking handfuls of napkins from a fast food restaurant.
My SO and I recently sent some invites out to family for an Easter Sunday gathering which we mentioned we would like to pay for (as some family members don’t have very much money.) The person in question came around last weekend and slipped into conversation “Now you are paying for this lunch on Sunday aren’t you?” Aaaargh.
Can anyone relate?
Post # 3
Member
2947 posts
Sugar bee
@Vikstar: I can relate my sister has lots of money and already paid off her house and she is the biggest tight arse I know. Its really embarrassing. She will divided any bills up to the cent, so going to a resturant is embarrassing that I just don’t do it.
Post # 4
Member
502 posts
Busy bee
@Holly77: Oh the restaurant outing is the worst! We usually just put in a general amount at the end of the night to save splitting the bill but with this particular person it’s a nighmare and worked out to the last dollar.
Post # 5
Member
569 posts
Busy bee
@Vikstar: haha…. i’m starting to worry that my fiance is a cheapskate! he wanted me to find a china dress maker to duplicate the dress i want! and it’s already very reasonably priced!! ugh… my dad has always been very cheap too and i remember it being sooo embarrassing when i was growing up!i mean yard picking and all! it is not an attractive trait to me at all!
Post # 6
Member
972 posts
Busy bee
I’m not sure why eating out with a cheapskate is even an issue, worst case you give more for the tip because you don’t feel it was enough which is understandable because you feel bad cheapskate didn’t leave enough, but that’s only a few bucks at an expensive meal! As far as the meal it’s not even an issue, I’ve never seen a restaraunt bat an eye at splitting the bill, even after the meal … then there might be “ok, you guys had X, Y and V, W to drink, so that’s one bill, right?”. Better yet you just tell the server when ordering “we’ll be on one ticket” (indicating who, like you and SO, or just yourself). End of story, you’re adults, and only responsible for yourselves.
ETA: There’s cheapskates and then there’s people holding on for deal life to keep their heads above water and don’t want others to know it. You never know. Sometimes all that expensive stuff comes at great cost!
Post # 7
Member
2324 posts
Buzzing bee
I think all families have one of ‘those’ !
Post # 8
Member
502 posts
Busy bee
@MrsTangerine: Tipping is not commonplace in Australia, and lots of restaurants specifically state “no split bills” 🙁
Post # 9
Member
4522 posts
Honey bee
@Vikstar: Yes, unfortunately. It’s a married couple in our family, in their 50’s. VERY well-off business owners that would give you the shirt off of their back……unless you’re a server.
Now, I was a server and bartender (in the US) for about 10 years and everyone knows it, so you’d think at least in my presence they’d try not to shaft the poor 16 year old waitress on a tip or make her cry. Nope! Eating out with them is such a nightmare: they drink their sweet tea and soda faster than what should be humanly possible and then shake their cups in the air to get the servers attention. After that, they spend the entire meal bitching about the food quality (nothing is ever wrong) and when they get the bill they make the server stand there while they calculate everything out to make sure she isnt upcharging them. By now, the server is usually crying or looks like she’s about to. And the tip? ALWAYS 5% or less.**
**of COURSE, as someone sympathetic to servers, I have had to jump in several times to cool them down and get them off of a waitresses back. In addition, I’ve on many occassions felt compelled to leave upwards of $50-100 on the table or slip it to the server to make up for the miserable experience.
Post # 10
Member
972 posts
Busy bee
@Vikstar: Well then. That would suck! Is there a reason they won’t split bills?
Post # 11
Member
502 posts
Busy bee
@MrsTangerine: I think it’s to reduce their workload
Post # 12
Member
502 posts
Busy bee
@badabing88: Oh that’s terrible. I don’t understand how they can get enjoyment from eating out when acting like that. It should be a fun occasion!
Post # 13
Member
6 posts
Newbee
@MrsTangerine: +1 – I agree with you! Why is this even an issue. Aren’t we all adults and only responsible for ourselves! Not that difficult to understand.