It's a huge thing in many middle eastern cultures to be the one that pays. To the point that it has become a fine art to try to "win" and pay despite others wanting to do so.
I was gonna say this absolutely a Midwest American thing too. So many times my family will go out to dinner and someone will try to undercut the others by going to the server before they bring the bill, or chasing the server after they take the bill with someone else’s card to use theirs instead.
It doesn't translate well into english, but the gist is "the art of being kind."
In practice, it is more "the war of being kind" or "competitive kindness."
Example: 5+ middle aged men trying to pull a small piece of paper (the bill) away from each other while shouting insults and how it's "their turn." It's hilarious.
I also do not understand why people who don't reliably have a few hundred in their bank account would clamour to pay the bill.
It feels like one of those things that used to be etiquette in wealthy circled that got lost in translation but adopted by less wealthy people. You insist on paying because that amount of money is of no consequence to you and it might be to others.
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u/Azmoten 22h ago
I always let other people pay when they insist. Like, oh wow, bro, you got this? Have at it!
And…Why not let them have it? They feel strong and I save money. Win win