You might already know about dining etiquette in your area, especially in splitting bill. However, it might vary in other countries. You might need a little direction about this, if you want to travel abroad. Since, it is unwritten rules. Some countries are allowed to split bill, but others consider it is rude.

If it is allowed, you should examine whether you split the bill evenly or according to what you order. Some restaurants may not provide separate bill. You also should consider about the payment method. Is it ok to pay with cash or card?

Other countries might have a friendly argument about who should cover all. Some culture considers paying the bill is a pride and flexing that they are financially stable. They are proud if they can cover all.

However, it is always an exception depend on the people or situation. Therefore, you should do some research before traveling to other countries. Better looking for locals if you want to know something like this. Here is some guidance of splitting bill in some countries.

• Countries are acceptable to split bill

1. Split evenly

It means you split the bill evenly no matter what you order or eat. You can find it in Japan and United States.

          2. What you eat

It means you split the bill and pay for what you order or eat. It is like in Philippine. They have Philippines term “KKB” or “kaniya-kaniyang bayad,” meaning “each pays their own.”

          3. Split evenly or pay what you eat

These countries are ok splitting bill evenly or based on each order. You just discuss with your group. It is common in United Kingdom, Australia, Iceland, and Norway.

          4. Some restaurants in these countries are allowed to separate bill, but you should tell first before get the table. For example, Canada, German, Japan, United Kingdom, Scotland.

• Countries which are less common to split bill

        1. China

In China splitting the bill is known as ‘AA’, but it is considered as new culture. Younger generations might ok, but for older is not. It is an honor to pay the bill. They even have friendly argument to cover the bill. Chinese people “insist on picking up the tab to keep ‘mian zi,’ or face.”

        2. Italy

Since the restaurant prefer cash for payment method, they may not allow to split bill if your group pay with different payment method, like cash and card.

       3. South Korea

It is common that the older will cover all. However, norms are changed. You might encounter more willingness to split the check.

        4. Spain

It depends on what region. In some parts of the country, splitting the bill is nicknamed, “a la Catalana,” meaning that everyone pays their own way.

        5. Sweden

Splitting bill is not for couple. In group, a person will cover all the bill, but others will be reimbursed on one of the many apps for splitting the bill. Cashless payment is the norm.

        6. Thailand

Splitting bill is ok among friends. However, the custom among Thai people is the host or oldest person who considered financially stable will pay the bill.

        7. France and Vietnam

It is impolite to split the bill in these countries. They usually take turn to pay meals among friends. If you are the host in these countries, you should cover the bill also. However, if the group of friends or in a casual situation agree to split bill, you expect to pay evenly.

• Countries consider rude if splitting bill

        1. Take turn

You might not allow to split bill in Greece. However, you are expected to pay for the next meal.  

        2. It’s on the host

In some countries, if you the host or the one who organized dinner, you should cover all, including the bill. If the guess insists to pay the bill, it might hurt the host. It is like in Mexico and Portugal.

        3. Scramble to pay

In these countries you should “fight” if you want to pay the bill. They consider an honor to pay all. Some give the card to waitress, even before they sit. You can find it in Iran, Ireland, and Lebanon

Source: https://matadornetwork.com/read/splitting-the-bill-etiquette-around-the-world/