After you finish eating at a restaurant, something strange happens. The moment the bill arrives, two people stand up at the same time and rush to the counter. "I'll pay!" "No, I will!" The international student said that when they first saw this scene, they thought people were fighting. ## The Expression "Ssonda" In Korea, paying for a meal is called "shooting" (쏜다). "It's on me today!" That's what people say. Those words carry the feeling, "I want to take care of you." The person who pays first hasn't just spent money; they've shown their heart. ## Why Does Splitting the Bill Feel Awkward? Koreans sustain their relationships through giving and receiving. If someone treats you today, you end up feeling a little indebted. To repay that debt, you say, "I'll pay next time," and meet again. A little debt has to remain for the next get-together to happen. So if you split the bill down to the last won, it can feel like saying, "We're all settled up as of today." Of course, these days splitting the bill is becoming more common among young people. Even so, having a little back-and-forth at the start is still considered polite. ## Try it out right away If someone treated you, say "Thank you for the meal," and then buy them coffee next time. That's the best way to repay them. If you'd like to split the bill, say, "Shall we each pay for ourselves today?" and ask gently. Another common way is for one person to pay first and send the money to their bank account later.