Arrival times:
EXPECTATION: Friend arrives shortly after sending a text that they are “almost there.”
REALITY: Friend is just getting out of the shower, but still sends the “almost there” text.
EXPECTATION: Friend arrives shortly after sending a text that they are “almost there.”
REALITY: Friend is just getting out of the shower, but still sends the “almost there” text.
EXPECTATION: Friend arrives shortly after sending a text that they are “almost there.”
REALITY: Friend is just getting out of the shower, but still sends the “almost there” text.
The boring side of the table:
EXPECTATION: You are seated next to the people you know really well.
REALITY: You end up sitting next to people you just met for the first time and have nothing in common with.
EXPECTATION: You are seated next to the people you know really well.
REALITY: You end up sitting next to people you just met for the first time and have nothing in common with.
EXPECTATION: You are seated next to the people you know really well.
REALITY: You end up sitting next to people you just met for the first time and have nothing in common with.
The menu debate:
EXPECTATION: When deciding what to pick from the menu, your friend backs the dish you initially wanted from the beginning.
REALITY: Your friend throws out a wildcard dish suggestion, causing you to have an internal struggle.
EXPECTATION: When deciding what to pick from the menu, your friend backs the dish you initially wanted from the beginning.
REALITY: Your friend throws out a wildcard dish suggestion, causing you to have an internal struggle.
EXPECTATION: When deciding what to pick from the menu, your friend backs the dish you initially wanted from the beginning.
REALITY: Your friend throws out a wildcard dish suggestion, causing you to have an internal struggle.
“Are you ready to order?”
EXPECTATION: Everyone knows what they want to order.
REALITY: One person asks for more time. One person asks what is the most popular dish. One person looks up online reviews.
EXPECTATION: Everyone knows what they want to order.
REALITY: One person asks for more time. One person asks what is the most popular dish. One person looks up online reviews.
EXPECTATION: Everyone knows what they want to order.
REALITY: One person asks for more time. One person asks what is the most popular dish. One person looks up online reviews.
Appetizer stretch:
EXPECTATION: Shared appetizer is within reach.
REALITY: The appetizers are on the other side of the table.
EXPECTATION: Shared appetizer is within reach.
REALITY: The appetizers are on the other side of the table.
EXPECTATION: Shared appetizer is within reach.
REALITY: The appetizers are on the other side of the table.
Table conversation:
EXPECTATION: Fun, lighthearted conversation.
REALITY: Serious conversations about work and relationship problems.
EXPECTATION: Fun, lighthearted conversation.
REALITY: Serious conversations about work and relationship problems.
EXPECTATION: Fun, lighthearted conversation.
REALITY: Serious conversations about work and relationship problems.
Buyer’s remorse:
EXPECTATION: Being happy with what you ordered.
REALITY: Wishing you ordered what the person next to you got.
EXPECTATION: Being happy with what you ordered.
REALITY: Wishing you ordered what the person next to you got.
EXPECTATION: Being happy with what you ordered.
REALITY: Wishing you ordered what the person next to you got.
Food embargo:
EXPECTATION: Having free reign to pick from every plate at the table.
REALITY: Someone catches feelings when you try to take some of their food.
EXPECTATION: Having free reign to pick from every plate at the table.
REALITY: Someone catches feelings when you try to take some of their food.
EXPECTATION: Having free reign to pick from every plate at the table.
REALITY: Someone catches feelings when you try to take some of their food.
Splitting the check:
EXPECTATION: Everyone gives the exact amount that is owed.
REALITY: Someone always ends up underpaying, and someone ends up overpaying.
EXPECTATION: Everyone gives the exact amount that is owed.
REALITY: Someone always ends up underpaying, and someone ends up overpaying.
EXPECTATION: Everyone gives the exact amount that is owed.
REALITY: Someone always ends up underpaying, and someone ends up overpaying.
No matter how you split up the check, everyone’s going to appreciate the unbeatable value of the free fries that come with every dish on Applebee's new Handhelds menu.
All photos Thinkstock with illustrations by Faye Kahn.