[popillio]

Thx stevesuphan,
I didn't know what to think about it, but after reading your reply, i guess that's the reason why they behave like that. Makes it much more clear to me.

[putza]

Hey your lucky! I usually end up paying the bill at the end of each meal. Not always, but usually. My thai friends always pay me back, not with money but with other acts of generiousity.

[oplapofffe]

They are 'kreng jai' of you as a bill of 1,200 is quite a lot. They seem kind people that they want you to feel that Thai people have a good heart. They also dont want you to feel that the farang must pay every time. They are also trying to be a little Western, just for you.

If they insist you take it, then you should, if you refuse to, you will make them lose face.

As for the difference between 'kep satang' (kep tang or kep ngern) and check bill. If you are in a restaurant you ought to say 'check bill'. 'kep tang' is used for food stalls on the side of the street etc...

[Indian Butt Magic]

When friends of mine invite me to a restaurant or a club for dinner, I always offer to pay my share, in fact most people in Australia would consider it rude if you not offer to pay your share when going out with friends. If I invited a friend out or a woman on a date, and she did not offer to pay, I would consider that person straining the relationship.

[DumbNelmcrece]

well, you can say " kep ngoen" "kep tang" "kit ngoen" in both restaurant or street stall but "check bin" will sound strange for a street stall

you have found nice people who offer to share dear so, let them share and next time before order anything, if you'd like to invite them, ask for the agreement first.

[Coededgeme]

Quote[/b] ]and she did not offer to pay, I would consider that person straining the relationship.

In thailand and also in europe, taking someone out means you pay for them, espcially if you are considered supirior in terms of job situation etc.

[freevideoandoicsI]

Wow, what a problem I'm quite jealous.
Everytime I've eaten in Thailand nobody has ever even made an effort to pretend to reach for their wallet. Not so much as a thank you either, unless prompted by my wife...

[popillio]

Now i've been several times to thailand, so i know some about the local behavier, but one event i still don't get.
The story:
I invite some friends to have dinner with me. Usual the one that invite will pay the bill. Now when the evening comes to an end, one of my friends ask the bill and insist to pay it.
After a short discussion i couldn't bring him to other thoughts, so i decide to back off and let him pay.(don't want that he loose "face") I announced that the next time we meet each other the bill will be for me.
Few months later i invite them again and tell them i would take the check bill. Reply: we will see.
When that evening comes to an end i get the "kep satang" and payed it. Somehow they figure out how much i pay (400 bath/person) every one jumps into his wallet and they refund me 1200 bath. I refuge to take it. Finally it end up on the table in front of me.I replace it back to them, but they refuge to take it back,so it end up again in front of me...
Now what you suppose to do with that?
Finally i took it back (couldn't leave it on the table right?)
My gf said it was wrong to take it back.
I ask her: must i leave it on the table than? her answer: dunno.....big thip for the waitress....
So i'm kinda totally confused about this kinda custom.....can someone explane it to me how things work out?
How to behave in such situation?