Hi there,
Am editing a piece with a restaurant scene and am wondering whether it would be more common to call for the ‘check’ or the ‘bill’, or whether both are used?
We tend to use ‘bill’ here in Ireland but this particular scene is set in a restaurant in the US.
Many thanks, T.
“Check, please”.
In a noisy environment like a pub, I would pantomime a signature, which seems to be a universal thing.
“¡Señor, la cuenta, por favor!”
Check. Midwestern US (Chicago), here. I might use “tab” in a bar, but probably in the context of “paying the tab” or “running/opening a tab.”
Check, in South Carolina.
It’s always the check here in Kentucky. Bill seems to make more sense, though.
Check is close to universal in American English. So much so, in fact, that Americans have to be advised (in travel guides) to say “bill” when dining in other parts of the English-speaking world, or with staff speaking English as a second language.
Check. Massachusetts.
ETA: I agree that “bill” makes more sense, but “check” is very ingrained and we’re unlikely to change it.
I usually ask for a purchase order or an invoice. Then I’m all like what? I don’t know accounting terms.
Serious answer: Check. Bill sounds weird.
Check it is then. Thank you, kind people.
T.
Check if I’m at a restaurant.
Tab if I’m sitting at a bar.
Bring me the check please, but…
send me the bill. (NY)
I just pantomime a checking motion. My signature is too long :D.
Check. As noted, it’ll be pretty universal (well, US-universal) in favor of check.
Huh. I’ve always said bill, despite the cliched “Check please!”
Waitress asks me “Can I get you anything else?” I say “Just the bill.”
SE Michigan
La checkio.
I always ask for “the little piece of paper that shows me how much I owe you.”
I usually get what I asked for after some strange looks.
‘Bill’ is more likely what I’d use too (N. California). Though I wouldn’t notice it at all if I was with someone else who asked for ‘the check’, and if someone provided audio evidence of me saying “check”, I wouldn’t be surprised [aside from wondering why you have that].
It’s definitely a check at a restaurant. But that term is mostly exclusive to restaurants. You wouldn’t ask for your check at a hotel or a car repair shop. Bill’s the common term so I don’t think anyone who notice if you asked for your bill at a restaurant.
You will be understood using either check or bill in the US.