Restaurant launches ‘split bill’ policy to combat first date awkwardness

Couples will no longer have to navigate difficult conversations about how to pay for their meals

(Rex Features)

A restaurant in Edinburgh has introduced a new policy to help diners on a first date looking to split the bill.

Blackwood’s Bar and Grill hopes its arrangement will remove any awkwardness between couples in their infant stages, when they might feel anxious about how best to navigate this perennially pernicious issue.

Those wanting to sign up simply have to say so while making a reservation at the restaurant, which you can do over the phone or online.

Then when the waiter serving that table brings the bill, they will provide separate ones for each diner calling for half the amount of the meal.

Garry Harding, Blackwood’s restaurant manager, described the policy as a “21st century arrangement”.

“When the bill arrives, it can cause some uncomfortable conversations between two people and we’ve made it our business to help get rid of that awkwardness,” he said.

“We like to do things differently and there’s no other restaurant in the city offering anything like this."

Harding went on to explain that he would not force the policy on couples, nor would he make assumptions about whether or not diners are on a first date, though the arrangement has been designed for them.

“Guests need only mention it whilst making the booking either over the phone or online via the website,” he clarified.