Wow, great topic! One word: AWKWARD! My feeling is that if you go out with a group, it kind of goes with the territory that you may pay for $2 of that appetizer that was ordered that you don't like. Or drink one less glass of that expensive wine than the big shot that ordered it, and subsidize his expensive wine habit in the process. We go with the shared bill always, but also do not go crazy with our ordering just because I know my $35 entree will be split 10 ways. I dont order a salad if I dont want one, just bc I am paying for everyone else's at the table. I guess I just don't feel like it's worth it to look like a cheapskate to save the $15 on the food. Alcohol can be a bit annoying and sometimes Ill take that full glass of wine that I just want to try a sip of bc I am about to pay $60 for it!

This is a simple matter of restaurants needing to make things easier for their customers. Customers want this. If a restaurant has difficulties offering it, then they need to change whatever in their process is causing the problem. Have servers ask beforehand if they need to punch it into the computer a certain way (something that seems to be getting more popular). My experience is that when there's a single bill, there's far more opportunity for individuals to try and skimp on their portion of the bill and tip, and someone has to make a hard decision as to whether they'll grossly overpay for their portion or screw the server out of a tip. Separate checks always works out best for the diners and the servers.

I think that most of the time we eat out with friends the bill is usually just split evenly - none of our friends resembles Mr Creosote (Meaning of Life film by Monty Python) so feeling 'cheated' by a glutton isn't really an issue.

If someone has a more expensive dish it's usually only a small difference and not worth the hassle of working out. Life is too short to quibble over who ate what.

Now, who ordered the Tartar of Kobe beef with Imperial Beluga caviar and Belons oyster and the 1995 Krug Clos du Mesnil?......

Separate checks is the only answer, but I am amazed at the inconsistency of the Buffalo restaurant community in offering separate checks. I have dined at a local pub with ten couples, two servers and separate checks. Cocktails, entrees, desert, cash and credit card purchases, all handled smoothly and efficiently. Everyone was happy. I've also dined with two other couples in sophisticated upscale restaurants that did not offer separate checks siting problems with computer coordination between the waite staff and the kitchen. I've even had a calculator presented with the check as a way to deal with their shortcomings. You can cut the tension with a knife as diners struggle to divide the bill as the waite staff impatiently hovers in an effort to clear the table for the next reservation. A wonderful dining experience tarnished by the inflexibility of restaurant management. My suggestion is when making the reservation (make sure you note the name of the person your talking with) ask if they provide separate checks. If they do not, let them know your taking your business elsewhere.

We've all been there.... And, we all have vivid memories when we got 'taken'.
There are just some people who will always take unfair advantage of a large group dining experience to order that $100 bottle of champagne, knowing full-well that some in the group are abstainers. Shame on you if you let THAT happen again. "Separate checks please!"
Notorious for their mathematical acumen, certain types will need to figure out their part of the bill to the last penny. If this bothers you, don't go out with them again...
If you are out with the same friends/family members a lot, the bills do even out over time.
Speak up. At the end of the evening, you have to live with yourself. It comes down to self respect and the respect of others.

I feel like it all depends on the situation you're in. If I go out with a small group of close friends, we usually don't have a problem with either splitting the check evenly or, if there's a serious discrepancy in who ordered what (we're poor/slightly poor college students and recent grads, give us a break), totaling up what we owe on our own. As the group gets bigger, the waitresses sometimes ask if we'd like separate checks, and some just do it without asking (a really nice gesture, considering how annoying it can be for them). If that doesn't happen, once again, we're pretty much OK with splitting evenly or divvying up the total.

If you're out with co-workers or on a business meal, however, I think you split evenly or, in some cases, one person just pays the whole thing (via the company, usually) -- no questions asked. Haggling over a dollar or two in that situation reflects poorly on you, especially if it's an interview or beginning of a business relationship.

First off I have never split the bill evenly when I'm with friends, everyone pays for what they got. If we're going out for beers that's a different story. Second, anywhere you go in Buffalo (and a lot of other big cities up north) it seems like splitting up the bill is the hardest thing to do. I don't like many things about the south, but all the restaurants down there ask before you eat whether or not you want separate checks. It actually benefits the server because more times then not, the server will end up with a better tip if there are separate checks. Credit card companies charge 2-3% no matter what, so the amount of transactions is a crappy excuse. I never understood how a bar/grill had no issues with 20 people sitting at a bar with seperate checks, yet somehow they can not accommodate 2 couples sitting in the dining area requesting 2 checks.