我认识几个在上海工作的年轻老外，他们对本地职场最不习惯的一点，不是加班，而是“吃饭结账”。
I know a few young expats working in Shanghai. The thing they are least accustomed to in the local workplace is not overtime, but “paying the bill after meals”.
在欧美，几个人去吃饭，最后平分账单（AA制）是天经地义的事情。但在中国，这套规则经常会遇到一些“小小的碰撞”。
In Europe and America, when a few people go to eat, splitting the bill (AA system) in the end is a matter of course. But in China, this set of rules often encounters some “small collisions”.
老外同事：“今天这顿多少钱？我把我的那份转给你。” (Lao wai tong shi: Jin tian zhe dun duo shao qian? Wo ba wo de na fen zhuan gei ni.)
Foreign colleague: “How much was this meal today? I’ll transfer my share to you.”本地同事：“不用不用，今天这顿我来请，下次你请就好啦。” (Ben di tong shi: Bu yong bu yong, jin tian zhe dun wo lai qing, xia ci ni qing jiu hao la.)
Local colleague: “No, no, I’ll treat today, you can treat next time.”
老外往往一头雾水：明明说好了大家分担，为什么非要抢着买单？
Foreigners are often confused: we clearly agreed to share the cost, why insist on grabbing the bill?
其实，中国的职场社交，讲究的是“人情流动”。抢着买单，不仅是展现大方，更是为了制造一个“下次我再请你”的契机。有来有往，关系才能越来越铁。
Actually, Chinese workplace socializing emphasizes the “flow of favors”. Grabbing the bill is not only to show generosity but also to create an opportunity for “I’ll treat you next time”. With mutual exchanges, the relationship becomes stronger.
当然，现在的年轻白领也开始越来越多地使用 AA 制了，尤其是平时点奶茶和外卖时，算得清清楚楚。
Of course, young white-collar workers nowadays are also increasingly using the AA system, especially when ordering bubble tea and takeout; they calculate it very clearly.
对于老外来说，不用觉得“我转钱给对方是不是不礼貌”。入乡随俗，别人请了这顿，你记住下次主动回请，就是最好的社交礼仪。
For foreigners, there is no need to feel “is it impolite to transfer money to them”. When in Rome, if someone treats you this time, remember to take the initiative to treat them next time; that is the best social etiquette.
观察这些买单时的小推拉，其实也是在观察东西方人情社会的差异。这比单纯的语言词汇有意思多了。
Observing these little push-and-pull moments when paying the bill is actually observing the differences between Eastern and Western human relationship societies. This is much more interesting than mere language vocabulary.