Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Etiquette Practice Test

After a meal, how should you handle the check?

1. Argue over who pays

2. Offer to pay the tip only

3. Let the host take care of it

4. Ask to split the check

The correct answer is: Let the host take care of it

Letting the host take care of the check is a customary practice in many social and business dining situations. This approach demonstrates respect and acknowledges the host's role in planning the meal or gathering. When you allow the host to manage the payment, it upholds the etiquette of recognizing their effort in organizing the event and avoids any potential awkwardness that might arise from debating who should pay. In contexts where the host has invited others to dine, it is generally expected that they would cover the check as a gesture of hospitality. This aligns with traditional expectations of dining etiquette, where the host is seen as responsible for such arrangements. While offering to pay the tip or suggesting to split the check can be considerate gestures, they may disrupt the flow of the occasion, especially if the host has intended to treat their guests. Disputing over who pays can create unnecessary tension and should be avoided to maintain a pleasant atmosphere.