Why shouldn't you ask to split the restaurant bill in France?

In France, it may be considered rude or socially unskilled for a diner to ask his or her companions to split up a restaurant bill between diners. Instead, one person will typically offer to pay the bill for everyone at the table. There are exceptions to this general rule, and it's a good idea for foreign visitors to take cues from their hosts rather than making assumptions.

Two people on a date might want to split a restaurant bill in France, and this is considered normal, especially among younger people. The practice of "going Dutch" is relatively new in France, but it is becoming more common.