My Colleagues Always Made Me Split Bills Even Though I Didn’t Eat That Much, So I Found a Way to Put Them in Their Place

When Sydney started her new job, she was eager to join her colleagues’ weekly Friday lunch tradition, where the bill was split evenly. However, her entry-level salary made these lavish meals unaffordable, especially since she only ordered inexpensive vegetarian dishes while others indulged in costly meat platters. Despite her attempts to suggest separate bills, her colleagues

dismissed her concerns. Frustrated, Sydney began ordering extra dishes and taking them home, inflating the shared bill. Her colleagues grew irritated, realizing they were subsidizing her takeout. After weeks of tension, they agreed to separate bills, allowing Sydney to order modestly again. The team’s dynamic shifted, and Sydney could finally enjoy her meals without financial strain, preserving her budget while planning to ask for a raise.