Mum asks friends to fancy dinner with voucher but wants them to pay their share
A mum is unsure whether to ask friends to cough up for a fancy dinner - after inviting them out to spend a £300 voucher.
She got a voucher for a luxurious restaurant as a birthday gift from her boss but fears she could end up having to dip into her own purse. "The voucher was for £300 and to be honest, at that restaurant, you could easily spend that on dinner for two once you've had a few cocktails and a bottle of wine!", she wrote.
The mum explained she and her partner don't have much cash to splash but that the date seemed like a good idea when it was suggested. The anonymous mum wrote on Mumsnet: "We had friends round a few weeks ago and I told them about my voucher and after a few wines thought it would be a great idea to invite my friend and her girlfriend to join us. They have no kids so a lot more spare cash than us, so dining out is a weekly thing for them."
However, she found herself worrying as the booking drew closer, wondering whether she should ask her friends to pay their share on the night but unsure how to ask without being rude. "I'm a real over-thinker and as the date is approaching I'm starting to worry", she continued.
"When the bill arrives how would you expect to split in? Would you put the voucher in then split the remainder between the two couples? Would you put the voucher in then expect them to pay the rest of the bill? The closer it gets the more anxious I'm getting. I don't want to upset our friends but also can't really afford to fork out loads on the night. What do you think? What would you do? I'm regretting inviting them now but I know uninviting them isn't an option!"
'I absolutely hate when people ask to split the bill - I can't afford it'
Some users questioned why she told her friends about the voucher. One said: "Cannot comprehend why you told them about the voucher tbh. Now it's all become stressful rather than a lovely treat." Another added: "Yes, another vote for not sure why you mentioned the voucher. I wouldn't have overshared that." But the poster replied that she was 'just excited' as she had 'never received a gift like that'.
One suggested she grit her teeth and pay for everyone's share with the voucher, writing: "Now you've told the friends about the voucher, if you go for a meal at that restaurant then you should put the £300 credit into the kitty and split the remainder of the bill between the four of you."
But another questioned why she had invited anyone else at all, saying: "You and your partner never really get to go out together? So, you thought it was a good idea to ruin what could be a lovely romantic night for the two of you by inviting a friend along? How does your partner feel about this? I’d be quite disappointed and feel a little rejected if my partner did this. A chance for a rare night out together and you bring people along."
Another continued: "Cancel the dinner. Tell them you can't go. Then use the voucher with your partner and tell them you had to use it before it expired if they mention it again. If they don't, then you don't bring it up either." And another wrote: "Cancel citing a family commitment or something vague and then don't rearrange it. Then go on your own with your husband. Otherwise, share the voucher."
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