by Mark Sproxton
Northern News Services

NNSL (NOV 22/96) - For decades people have sought a cure.

The only thing close to an answer comes from a series of conflicting reports and informal interviews, made more confusing because the situation itself changes.

But that hasn't stopped the search for a solution.

The typical conundrum involves friends, food and drink at a restaurant, pub or bar -- say six to 10 people, all eating and having some type of drink or drinks.

After an evening of laughing, swapping stories and telling lies, the last morsel of dessert is eaten and the final dregs of coffee have made their way down someone's gullet.

Then comes the bill, as expected. No worries. But before you know it, before the server has moved more than two steps away, the problem arises.

Someone in the group graciously volunteers to put the bill on his/her credit card so he/she can collect the $300 worth of frequent-flyer miles.

Gone are the days when calculating a tip to be left would be the last post-meal group act.

Now thoughts of vacations enter the picture. That $300 could give you enough points for a free trip south. Then again, your $50 share of the bill would still help inch toward a free travel pass and would keep the next credit card bill lower.

All the good times just enjoyed are forgotten.

Do you cause a commotion and say you will pay your share on your own credit card to get your own take of the flyer miles?

Or do hand over your cash to the person who volunteered to pay the bill?

Of course, depending on who's in the group and how well everyone knows each other determines the anxiety factor of the situation.

But what to do?

"If the person really wants it that bad, I'd just let them have it," says Chris.

Terry disagrees.

"That's just rude. Everyone wants the travel miles so why should one person get them all? Everybody should pay their own share however they want to."

Shannon adds: "If you knew them all it shouldn't be a big deal if you say you'll pay for your own meal on your own credit card. They'd understand."

No one in Yellowknifer's informal survey said they have seen such a situation come to blows, but most had been faced with the dilemma.

If the airlines ever do quit offering the frequent-flyer programs as they keep threatening, dining out will become a much easier event and tipping will receive much more serious consideration.