Hey, it’s OK... You
… To think that people who chew with their mouths open shouldn’t be allowed out in public. … To consult different sources for your monthly horoscope until you get the result you were hoping for. … If you like your own Instagram post, just to get it up to 11 likes. … To already be thinking about what you’ll eat for lunch at 10.30am. … If your rubbish bin goes out more than you do. … If you and your partner don’t have a formal anniversary date, so you celebrate your sex-iversary instead. … To ask yourself, “How much do I really need this job?” after hitting snooze on your alarm for the fifth time. … To wish that Facebook would stop reminding you what you looked like eight years ago. Can we just not? … If you say, “What? You didn’t get my message? Stupid phone!” – knowing full well that you forgot to reply. Um, not OK… … To tag someone in pictures they aren’t in. I wasn’t at your son’s second birthday party, so stop tagging me!
1Choosethe right place “The whole point of going out to eat is to enjoy yourself – it shouldn’t give you anxiety when the cheque comes,” explains Jane.
“The first thing to do is choose a restaurant that suits your budget. If your friend picks an expensive place, it’s fine to suggest another spot. You don’t have to explain; you can just say that you’ve heard great things about your choice.”
2Becash-rich
“It’s the easiest way to pay exactly what you owe: bring cash in all denominations,” advises Jane. “It’s impossibly awkward to ask a waiter to do an unequal split on your credit or debit card.
3Tallyupwards
“If you’re out with people and everyone gets steaks and martinis and you only have a salad and water, it’s 100% OK not to pay as much as everyone else,” says Jane. “Work out what you owe and pay a little more.
“For example, if your supper, including the tip, was R200, leave R250. If you feel uncomfortable pointing out that you didn’t eat or drink as much as everyone else, one solution is to leave a little early and quietly give your share – again, plus a little extra – to whoever is likely to handle the cheque.”
4Addit all up
“If it’s just two of you out to eat, quibbling over the cheque is poor form. As a general rule, if your friend’s meal costs a few Rands more than yours, I recommend that you suck it up and split the bill down the middle,” says Jane.
“But if her meal was over 40% more than yours, you can always say, ‘Do you want to get the tip?’ Most people are usually aware when their share is more expensive, and are happy to cover the difference.”
your battles
“If it gets awkward, or if the person doesn’t offer to pay at all, you can always say, ‘I’ll get this one, and you can get the next one.’ Then hold her to it the next time you go out. And if it happens again, consider grabbing coffee in the future,” Jane suggests.
Sit with shoulders back and knees bent, holding a weight with both hands. Lift feet and lean back on tailbone, as shown. Rotate left, bringing weight down by left hip. Repeat, rotating right. Alternate sides for 20 reps (10 per side).