I cannot remember the last time I was in a situation where we got separate checks. It’s possible that I never did the separate checks thing, even when going out with a big group.
We always either just split the bill if what people ordered was fairly close in price or we each put in enough cash to cover what we ordered (plus enough for our share of the tax and tip). Or if somebody at the table was significantly better off financially than most of us, that person would put in more than his fair share or sometimes even pick up the whole bill as a surprise treat.
I went through a period of going out with a group of colleagues for happy hour (drinks and appetizers). There could be 20 of us. People left at different times and put cash on the table for their share on their way out. You never wanted to be among the last to leave because, inevitably, some people only left enough to cover their drinks but not enough for part of the tax and tip.
When I was waitressing, I hated it if people asked for separate checks. That request didn’t happen very often.
