Splitting the bill
What it really means
When friends eat out together in the UK, they usually split the bill evenly, or each person pays for what they ordered. Card machines can take several payments. Fighting to pay the whole bill, which is polite in China, can make British friends uncomfortable — it's fine to just split it.
Context, tips & common mistakes
The mechanics have moved almost entirely to technology: card machines split payments without complaint, and among younger Britons the standard follow-up to one person paying is an instant bank-transfer request through their banking app — sending your share within a day is good manners, and nobody considers requesting money from a friend rude. The even split is the default, but etiquette allows two polite exceptions: someone who ordered far less (or no alcohol) may say "shall we just pay for what we had?", and on birthdays the group usually covers the birthday person's share. What does not translate well is fighting for the whole bill: an extended battle to pay for everyone, generous in many cultures, tends to embarrass British companions, and letting someone "win" creates a vague debt they never agreed to. If you want to treat people, announce it when inviting them — "my treat" or "I'm getting this one" stated up front is warmly accepted, with the understanding that someone else gets the next one.