I usually do, but my friends usually don't.

I dont carry cash whilst out - thats my beau's job.

I think it is always a smart idea to keep an certain amount of cash while out. Especially when going out to dinner.

As a waitress, let me tell you - it's easier for me if you all use cards. Plus, I'm less likely to get screwed on the tip that way. (You would be surprised how often people simply "forget" about the tax on their meal, I see it all the time when I go out with my own friends.)

Seriously, though, the absolute easiest thing you could do for us is split up your ticket at the beginning of the meal. That way, you don't have to worry about who's paying what, I don't have to worry about doing the math incorrectly, and we all are less stressed. I've never understood why that's so difficult for people to bring up at the beginning of the meal. Just mention it!

Lately, I have refrained from group dining but when I do I tend to use my card and just add my tip on.

i always try to make sure that i have cash if i'm going to a group dinner since it's really confusing when you're giving the server 6 credit cards. that might be the only time that i carry cash and for a dinner too!

ahh it's the MOST ANNOYING THING

oops. I didn't finish haha.. It's the most annoying thing when a waiter brings a bill to a table of 7 and everyone is like 'ok my food was this amount and my drink was this amount so put this amount on my credit card and ..' blah blah blah!! Bring cash, split it up however many ways, and get on with the evening sheeeeeeesh

I agree with Jeny about the annoying factor! If you really are on such a tight budget that you are nickle and diming and just paying for exactly what you ate, then ask for a separate check upfront...otherwise, split it equally.

As for carrying cash, yes I always pay cash when i'm group dining. Or even not group dining actually. I generally just have an issue with my credit card disappearing out of my sight though... so many scams in lifting the card number. I wish the US used the same chip & pin approach as the UK does... and they bring the terminal to the table.

Usually, I'll pay for my meal and those of a few of my friend's with my card and they just give me what they owe in cash -- it's kind of like getting cash back at Walgreen's or Publix.

Umm cash is equally annoying - this person has 2 $20 bills but he only spent $33.65 so then he needs change from the pot but no one has small bills and then with all the taking out and putting in you count the pot and there's not enough money but everyone swears up and down that they put in enough. Or you'll ask a waitress for "this much change from this bill," etc. It's the same as "putting this much money on this card."

And yes, everyone always forgets tax. I prefer to ask for separate checks in the beginning but some restaurants won't do that! I guess they want the mandatory 18%?

Oh and Bento I do that too! I get frequent flyer miles with my card so I try to use it as much as possible. Then I deposit the cash right away to pay it off so the bill doesn't hurt so badly.

The only time we ever get cash is if it's a giant group and we don't want to stick around while some people haggle over pennies for tax and tip, we throw down our cash and leave.