I'm a struggling single mom but was labeled “the bad guy” because I refused to pay $227 for a group dinner…even though I only spent $35

A single mother of two was forced to foot the $227 bill at a group dinner and was deemed the “bad guy” when she refused.

Aryan Strauss from the US warned others to 'never eat in groups without discussing the budget first'.

After attending her model friend's birthday at a Brazilian steakhouse, she was left with the huge bill, even though her share was only $35.

She didn't know any of the other attendees and her friend quickly became 'irritated' when she refused to pay for everyone.

“I have no money, I am a single mother,” she emphasized in a TikTok video.

Aryan narrated the situation online, saying she had found a buy one, get one free birthday coupon and planned to pay for herself and her friend.

But during the evening Aryan noticed some people leaving halfway through and assumed they had paid their share – even though this was not the case.

She also had no alcoholic drinks and did not order dessert.

“They wanted me to pay $150 (AUD 228) when I just got the $50 (AUD 76) basic meal,” she said.

With the coupon she would have only paid $25/$35 AUD.

'But because those people left and didn't pay for their meal, I suddenly have to put this bill on the table? No ma'am,” she continued.

Aryan claimed she had to write a check to her friend because she didn't have $50 in her account.

Aryan told her friend that she had not eaten all the food and that money had not been discussed before, she should not have to pay for everyone. “Why would you do this to me when you're supposed to be my friend? I wish I had said that then,” she added (stock image)

“I said I won't pay more than fifty dollars because that's not fair. She was annoyed with me,” she added.

“Why would you do this to me when you're supposed to be my friend? I wish I had said that then.

“I was the bad guy in this situation.

'Never sit down at the table with anyone, friend or otherwise, unless you have already discussed how the bill will be divided and what your budget is if you are all going to split the bill equally.'

The video has since been viewed more than 2.1 million times, with hundreds sharing their thoughts on the subject.

'Always separate checks. Save yourself the trouble,” one wrote, while another said, “I'm not talking about nothing. I pay for what I ate.'

“Sounds like she wasn't much of a friend,” a third added.

Someone else said: 'Damn, I think I have a solid group of friends. We always assume we pay for our own meals unless someone says otherwise.”