Honestly, splitting the bill equally is only fair when everyone actually ordered around the same amount. Otherwise, it’s just a polite scam.
I never understand why the person who had one starter and a Coke is expected to help cover someone else’s steak, cocktails, dessert, and “let’s just get one more side for the table” energy. That’s not fairness, that’s social pressure with a receipt attached.
If everyone ate and drank pretty equally, then sure, split it and move on. It’s easier, less awkward, and nobody has to pull out calculator mode at the table. But the second there’s a huge difference in what people ordered, paying for exactly what you had just makes more sense.
The weird part is people act like asking to pay your actual share is somehow rude, when what’s actually rude is assuming other people should quietly subsidize your expensive taste.
Equal split sounds nice in theory, but in real life, fair doesn’t always mean equal. If I ordered a pasta and water, I’m not paying “my part” of someone’s seafood platter and three margaritas just to keep the peace.
So no, equal splitting isn’t always fair. Sometimes the fairest thing is just pay for what you actually ordered and stop pretending math is offensive.