Office Lunch Splitting: Smart Manners and Tips

Daily office lunch is a time to refresh, but awkward air at the register is best avoided.
Especially in busy shops, not fumbling at the register is good manners. Be ready to leave quickly after "Gochisosama".

1. Read the Room for "Separate Checks"

It's hard to ask for separate checks when the register is busy. Many shops refuse individual payments during peak lunch hours.

Ideally, one person pays, and you settle later. The payer gets points, which is a perk. Rotating the payer role daily avoids burdening one person.

2. The "No Exact Change" Problem

"I only have a 10,000 yen bill" or "No small change" happens often. It wastes time.

Payment Apps (PayPay, LINE Pay, etc.) solve this.

• No need for coins.
• Pay to the exact yen.
• History remains.
• No awkward "Keep the change" social dance.

Unifying the app used within your lunch group makes it super smooth. "I'll PayPay you" is all it takes.

3. When With Bosses or Seniors

If a boss says "I'll pay", accepting gracefully is communication. Refusing too hard can be rude.

If you feel bad about it happening every time, offer to pay for coffee next. Or if splitting, let the boss pay the fraction or a bit more ("It's 3,800, I'll pay 2,000, you two split the rest").