All but the the last one! 

I've been on both sides of that experience, more than once. Concerning other couples with whom we done regularly, I prefer to reach agreement that we alternate paying, so that I pay tonight's bill, you pay next time, and so on. I have a general aversion to splitting the bill. I never understand folks who insist on parsing the bill down to "who ordered what." But as one who enjoys good wine, I pay that tab separately when dining with non-imbibers. It can get sticky occasionally, but the point is to try to get on the same page regarding the bill. 

Of course :)

We’ve been on both sides. Sometimes it’s best to say something before — no surprises 

Gr8 Topic Fred!

This is a big topic for my family as my father aka Padrini "Always" picks up the check and can get irked if this does not occur.  

One should see how he gets treated at his favorite restaurants, "Vetro" owned by Frank Russo in Howard Beach being one of them.

I've gotten him less than a handful of times over the years

Our Labels:

1. 1. The Gator (not Ron Guidry)aka Alligator aka "Alligator Arms" are short and cannot reach their pockets; hence, no wallet or purse offerings.  It's also an NFL term for a receiver scared to go across the middle and get pummeled by linebackers!
2. 2. The "Even Steven 1" meaning they ALWAYS want checks "whacked up" aka Mob term for sharing the take.
3. 3. Uneven Steven!  This is the person that wants to be "Even Steven" although he/she orders that extra bottle of wine (drinks most or all of it), extra app and lobbies for the "Even Steven" split.
4. 4. The Dasher (not the reindeer) an old term as kids was "Dine and Dash" aka skipping out on the bill.  "The Dasher" will either leave urgently or have a carefully timed bathroom break as the check arrives!!!
5. BRAVO

Best comment ever!

In those  moments, the feeling is always better to give, than receive. 

I too have been through all except the last one. If I know the people we are dining with with we either take turns paying or if its an expensive experience, will even ask the waiter, up front, for separate  checks and then there is no issue at the end. But it does feel nice to pay the check during that fake bathroom break.

Been on the receiving and giving end.  I appreciate when “received”.

I will try to tip (well as I always do) when the recipient.

I have semi regular breakfasts where we alternate.

Where I know we are splitting check and multiple parties are involved I moderate what I will order so not to take advantage of others’ pockets — whether or not the others involved do so.

If only two couples involved my practice is to divide check in 1/2 if other party orders more and/or pricier and grab check and assign an appropriate amount less than 1/2 to the other party when I opted to order more and/or pricier so that I pay more accordingly.

There was a couple who always insisted on separate check that I long ago refused to dine out again with; they also under-tipped (making me feel need to tip even more).

Where I noticed one person where in a group we split equally—you know this person— would have our party — IMHO— undertip, in future such gatherings (that no longer occur for unknown speculation) I picked up the check to announce the equal shares to make sure the tip meets my “standard.”

Good substance

I have also "secretly" picked up the check for the whole thing.

When I split the check I make sure that the other couple gives the right tip.

 I also used to test my daughter's boy friends. I would always pick up the tab but I would wait and see if they offered. i felt that  this would show their character. When my daughters realized what i was doing, they let their friends know beforehand so it became moot.

 Another of my gimmicks was when I would take out a client or someone I wanted to impress, I would tell the waiter it was their birthday and have them bring a dessert with a candle  and sing happy birthday.