Single mum shamed after refusing to split £117 bill with friends

A single mother in the States has sparked a wave of online support after refusing to cough up a staggering $150 (£117) bill for a group dinner.

Attending a close friend's group birthday dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse, Aryan Strauss - a single mother-of-two - was left baffled when they were presented with the bill.

Taking to TikTok to open up about her predicament, the dinner guest claimed she didn't know any of her friend's other attendees.

Aryan claimed she didn't order an alcoholic beverage throughout the duration of the evening, and opted not to go for a dessert, while most other diners did.

On top of that - being tight on cash lately - the mum claimed she selected the basic $50 meal.

During the meal, however, she was given an extremely 'fatty' piece of steak, which caused her to run off to her bathroom, unwell.

In return, Aryan was told by the manager that they'd compensate her meal.

And because she'd brought a 'buy one get one free' coupon to use on the night, she'd only have to spend a reasonable $25 to pay for the birthday girl's meal.

TikTok/@remiandaryan

At the end of the night, however, she was asked to pay a colossal $150 for her share of the food, and when she refused, she was met with backlash from the other dinner guests.

"I have no money, I'm a single mum," she told her viewers in the now-viral video.

"They wanted me to pay $150 when I just got the basic $50 meal."

Aryan also explained that several of the dinner guests had been forced to leave the meal earlier due to other commitments.

She wrongly assumed, however, that they'd paid their contribution to the meal before heading off.

"Because those people left and didn't pay for their meal suddenly I'm supposed to float this bill? No ma'am," she hit out.

"I said I'm not paying any more than $50 because that's not fair. She was irritated with me," Aryan added of the birthday girl, to whom she later had to write a cheque, after having to show her she simply didn't have the money in her account.

Hinterhaus Productions/Getty

"Why would you do this to me if you're supposed to be my friend? I wish I had said that back then," Aryan went on. "I was the bad guy in this situation."

She is now warning her followers to always be sure to check before enjoying a meal - whether it's with friends or strangers - how the bill is to be paid.

She also believes budgets shouldn't be considered a taboo topic anymore.

Aryan's confession has certainly gone down well with the majority of viewers, with many taking her side of the story and praising her for being so open about her monetary woes.

"Separate checks always. Save yourself the hassle," a follower advised her for next time.

A second agreed: "I am not discussing nothing. I am paying for what I ate."

"Damn, I guess I've got a solid group of friends. We always assume we are paying for our own meals unless someone says otherwise," a third went on.

In another video, Aryan explained: "In my mind, having enough to pay for the meal and pay some kind of tip was having money to go out. I'm a lot more responsible now."