I heard an international student was startled while eating with Korean friends. A friend said, "I'll go to the restroom," and stepped out, but when the student looked, the bill had already been paid. ## The rule: one person pays for everything, and next time someone else pays In Korea, usually one person pays for everyone. The next time you meet, someone else pays. In front of the cashier, they each say, "I'll pay!" You also often see people arguing over it as they do so. Paying for a meal is a way of showing the feeling, "I value you." That's why people slip away from the table to pay first. It's less about splitting money and more about exchanging feelings. ## Exception 1: Age and rank change things In many cases, the older person or the one with the higher rank pays. As a junior, it's enough to say "Thank you for the meal." Seniors don't really expect anything in return from their juniors, either. Instead, when the junior buys coffee later on, it feels like things are balanced between them. Koreans like relationships that last a long time like this. ## Exception 2: Some days everyone pays for themselves Nowadays, "going Dutch" or "splitting N ways" is also very common. It's even more so in a large group or when you've just met. If you're not sure, smile and ask, "Shall we split the bill?" It's not rude at all. If someone paid for everyone at once, don't try to send them money on the spot. Instead, say, "I'll get the next one," and then really do pay next time. This is the most important promise in Korean-style bill paying.