Igwe and I have been arguing over this for the past 48 hours, and we still don’t agree. I don’t even remember how we got into this conversation. Igwe believes that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a man paying for a first date with a GroupOn/Living Social coupon, especially if it’s for something expensive – like one of those hard-to-get-into restaurants that might cost about $500 for food. I, on the other hand, completely disagree. I think that using coupons is one of those things you save for a future date. Why does it have to be done on the first date?
I think that the first date is the time when everyone involved – the initiator of the date especially – puts their best foot forward. This is not the time to talk about sensitive issues like your body count, how your ex may have hurt you, which venereal disease(s) you may have had, and/or how you’re paying for your date with a coupon. You can use the coupon later. The only time it’s acceptable to use the coupon on the first date is when you don’t really care where the date might go or what your date may think of you afterwards.
It’s kind of like when you go for a job interview. You wear your best suit, shoes, and tie, and you get a hair cut and use your best cologne. You go there looking like someone that already works there, someone who is already part of the team. You can only make a first impression once, so when you do, make it count.
For me, I’d rather you take me to a frozen yogurt joint than to an expensive restaurant that you pay for with GroupOn. And let’s not forget that when you pay with GroupOn or Living Social, you actually have a limited menu. Yes, I know that it is still money, and I know that ultimately, what matters most is that the food is even paid for, but still, I think a coupon of any kind shouldn’t be used on the first date (unless it’s a coupon to take home a 2014 Range Rover for free. Now, this changes everything).
My friend, Ibukun completely agrees with me, and my friend, Uju doesn’t think it’s a deal breaker to use a coupon, but she does believe that it doesn’t look good at all and believes that it gives the impression that the man is cheap and/or thrifty. Now, tell me, is this coupon thing a big deal? Or am I just tripping?
P.S. Keep in mind that I only object to using coupons on the first date, not every date.
i AGREE WITH YOU,THE GUY IS TRYNA PUT HIS BEST FOOT FORWARD,HE CAN USE THEM ON OTHER DATES,THAT WOULD SHOW HE CAN SAVE CASH BUT ON A FIRST DAY HE SHOULD GO ALL OUT (ALL OUT COULD BE $100 or $50 or $500)
Well on the first date it might put me off a bit …I’d rather he didn’t do that on the first date
I think it depends on what the deal is. If it’s to a show/concert or expensive restaurant, I think it’s okay. I use coupons here (Dealdey, which is similar to Groupon) so it’s not that big a deal to me. HOWEVER, don’t be a cheapskate and try to use a coupon for something that’s relatively cheap! Someone took me out on a first date here and actually wanted to use his old student ID card to get a movie discount.
I’m cheap and thrifty too so maybe that’s why i don’t give a hoot lol. Or maybe its because i’ve never had it happen. *kanye shrug* IDK. I think that if the date is well planned and there was a reasonable amount of forethought, i wouldn’t mind at all. Now, if we went to the dollar theater and for Big Macs at McDonald’s and dude used coupons…that’s something else entirely.
It depends on the kind of first date. If I only just met you last week and you asked me out and paid with a coupon I would be put off. However I have known you a while as a colleague, friend etc we hang out regularly and you show interest and want to take me out on an official first date and you use a coupon I wouldn’t be as offended.
lets do cash/debit/credit biko…
we can keep the coupon-ing for the other dates….
i am a bargain freak, i’ll even help the bobo find better deals for later dates sef… LOL
CHEAP! A bad first impression on me.