Gen Z friendships have entered their nickel-and-diming era

Gen Z friendships have entered an era where even the smallest expenses are subject to scrutiny and debate, with Venmo and Zelle payments adding a new layer of complexity to bill-splitting. An etiquette expert has shared tips on how to approach bill-splitting and handle friends who don't repay their debts. A 2021 study by LendingTree found that Gen Zers are more likely than any other generation to be owed money after lending, while a Zelle survey in June revealed that 76% of Gen Zers were not fully repaid for money they lent out for group trips.

Despite the convenience of payment apps, these tools have not solved the issue of determining who should pay what, or how to handle it. The issue of bill-splitting can lead to ceaseless nickel-and-diming, weeks of pestering friends for repayment, and in some cases, the loss of friendships. In one instance, a 24-year-old MBA candidate went out for dinner with a new friend and their boyfriend, who ordered more expensive appetizers and drinks than her.

When the bill arrived, she received a Venmo request for an equal split, which she believed was unfair. The friend claimed she was bad with math and sent her an itemized receipt, leaving the 26-year-old to figure out how much to repay. The etiquette coach Myka Meier suggests that money may feel less urgent when it's not in physical form, and that direct conversations about payment expectations could help ease the awkwardness.

However, not everyone is upfront about their expectations, and some people may feel nickel-and-dimed over seemingly trivial amounts.