I agree with not splitting the bill if the tabs were not similar.
Especially the drink bill if some were not drinking.
I made friends with a local attorney after a case we worked on. We used to meet weekly for lunch at one of his favorite delis and took turns paying the bill. We both had simple tastes. He was old school and had been admitted way back in the 70s. He would be sure to go to the register and get his 15% senior discount just to get the bill down. I assured him he didn’t have to do that but it was a habit. I was sorry when he retired.
My point is they vote for us to pay for their freebies but they don’t like it when they have to pay for others.