By now many people have heard about the huge dinner tab that Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys rookie WR paid on behalf of the team. The final bill was a shade under $55,000!

This is a common practice in the NFL – an entire team ordering more than a full army and sticking a rookie with the bill. However, not all rookies who go through this earn over $8million in their first season!

So this made me wonder two things:

What is the largest dinner bill that you’ve ever paid?

I don’t expect many of you to be able to top Dez Bryant’s tab, but I’m sure some of you have had your fair share of expensive meals!

The most that I’ve paid for a meal has been about $200, and this was for a group! I know, I know, not too exciting, right?

Avoid this shock: If you are unsure about the prices at the restaurant, call ahead. See if you can get a copy of the menu and try to estimate how much the meal would cost.

Have you ever been stuck with an expensive bill that you didn’t expect?

Fortunately for Bryant, he knew that he was picking up the tab for the team dinner. Although, I’m sure he didn’t expect to pay more than most people coming out of college with a 4-year degree earn in a year!

However, there are times when a group goes out to eat and everyone assumes that someone else is picking up the tab. It can be with extended family, a group of friends, or even coworkers (especially if the boss comes along).

Fortunately, this has never happened to me, and I’ve never been part of a group that has stuck someone else with the tab.

Avoid this misunderstanding: Have a quick conversation with everyone involved and make sure payment arrangements are understood. It’s not tacky to do so, in fact, this can save a lot of embarrassment and frustration after a wonderful time together!

Be sure to answer these questions in the comments section. I hope my $200 doesn’t stand for too long!

photo credit: Andrew Michaels