I was at a bar. Someone asked if I wanted to do a shot with them. I said yes. I noticed the bartender included it on my bill. Should I have said anything? If it makes a difference where I live the price of alcohol is extremely high.

18 comments

  2. Yes, typically this implies they would pay for it. To the point where it would be rude to ask “are you buying?”, I think.

  3. Maybe it was a mistake. The person “buying” you the drink should be….buying the drink. If the bartender isn’t sure they need to be asking.

  4. If someone asks me if I’d like a drink or if I would like to take a shot with them, then they’re the ones paying for it. I find it’s best to never keep an open tab at a bar too.

  5. i was a barber for over a decade, and I’d call it a grey area, honestly.
    when working, i would always ask the one who orders for confirmation.

    edit: bartender, yuk yuk yuk

  6. Id assume the one ordering should pay.
    Ot, Had a bartender who charged both and stole the money. Not always, but did it a lot. Until she got fired anyways.

  7. That’s one of those things that is a gamble. Yeah that means both should be on his tab but the bartender didn’t realize it or it was a mistake so it’s just like
    Oh shit gotta take the L on this.

  8. Your assumption was 100% reasonable. You didn’t order it so it shouldn’t have been on your bill. General practice is the person ordering is the person paying.

  12. As a bartender I like to ask who’s bill the shots are going on either at the time of the order or when I drop the shots off. In front of whoever has the shots. I’ve learned to do this as I’ve dealt with the confusion at the end and it’s annoying. This way no one is surprised and everyone knows what to expect when their bill is coming. Works every time. I always ask with a smile 😊

  13. The person ordering the drink is the person paying for the drink; that’s a basic rule of thumb.

    I’m not saying it’s an absolute fact, but I definitely feel like you were taken for a ride. I’ve heard of people in seedier places pulling this sort of thing; they suggest a drink and YOU get the bill.

  15. If they say “want a shot?” or “will you do a shot with me?” I think they are paying.

    If they say “are you willing to do a shot?” I think they want someone to do one when they do and are not offering to purchase.

    When in doubt, verify. A “if your treating me, I guess I can do one” or something similar is a polite way to verify before committing.

  18. This might be cultural, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it got on my tab. Especially because I also live in an expensive country, I always assume we are having separate bills. I would only be sure if they said “I’m buying” or “it’s on me”.

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