Dear Annie: For the past 10 years, my husband and I have enjoyed dining out with a couple of our friends, always splitting the check evenly.

Recently, we embraced sobriety and no longer consume the expensive drinks that significantly add to the bill.

Despite this, we continue to split the check evenly, which doesn’t seem quite fair.

We value our friendship and enjoy our time together, but we are unsure how to approach this topic. We don’t want to look cheap, but we also want to be fair.

Is it weird, rude or impolite to request that we each pay for our own meals and drinks moving forward? — Sober and Confused

Dear Sober and Confused: How much more are we talking that they drink?

If it’s one or two drinks, then I would let it go. It’s nice to treat your friends.

If you really feel like you are being treated unfairly, you could always order an extra side or dessert, but I think that would be petty.

If this really bothers you, why not ask the waiter to give you two bills — one for you and your husband and one for your friends?

If they ask why you changed, just be honest and explain the reason. You’re not drinking anymore. And congratulations for that!

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].