To not rock the incorrect maths of new friends regarding the bill Spilt?

I think using a voucher when everyone is paying out their pocket is slightly socially awkward. It just immediately puts a divide up where everyone else feels like they’ve paid more. I think you were right to not say anything and you would have been better off using your voucher for a meal just with yourself and one other you are prepared to treat.

Choose your battles, OP.
She was cheeky, no doubt. But the consequence of your raising this would have been wait more dramatic than the 20 pounds or whatever you end up overpaying.

Yeah so she got a lovely night out with friends and she paid less than diners who didn’t have a voucher or a %33 disount.

I acknowledged she would have got a better deal had she gone alone, but I’m guessing she wouldn’t have enjoyed it quite so much.

not everything is about money.

She probably would have gone along to another restaurant and happily paid full price as she was really there for the company. So the discounted meal was really just a bonus. She could compare to the other women and think that they got a better deal (even though they actually all paid the same) but surely it’s nicer to just consider that everyone had a lovely meal with the added bonus of a bit off the bill.

it’s all a matter of perspective and deciding what is most important. I mean, she could have stayed at home and had the best deal, financially speaking.

Every single one of them got a good deal. OP got a slightly less good deal than she would have done had she gone alone, but then she would have been alone.

I don’t think the OP got a good deal, she spent around £50 and used her £50 voucher.

She already shared the 33% discount with them. A gift voucher is different as it just replaces the cash she would have spent.

I actually wonder if the lady who plucked it out of her hand was saving her from an embarrassing social faux pas. Maybe she realised how it would look and just sorted it quickly. Might have been a heavy handed kindness..

Every single one of them got a good deal. OP got a slightly less good deal than she would have done had she gone alone, but then she would have been alone.

if you go with the plan to split the bill I think you split equally, using whatever discount or vouchers you have.

I’d raise an eyebrow if I was out in a group and someone waited until the end and whipped out a voucher to cover just their part of the bill. Looks a bit overly concerned with money- whereas share it with everyone and it clearly gives a much better impression. I think if I’d not wanted to share it I’d have left it at home to use another time.

Yes it’s the perks of OP’s job so it was generous of her to share but conversely it would have looked ungenerous to not share.

plus on the totally pragmatic side she is trying to fit in, so she did the right thing. Who knows what perks the other women will be willing to share with her in due course..

I love the idea that tiny kids starting school are 'on-boarded'. I'm imagining an induction with PowerPoints and ice breakers.

I'm with those who say proceed with caution. They are either genuine and a bit thoughtless or they thought you'd be handy to have around for the discount (which says more about them than you by the way).

I'd dial back the excitement about this being the start of something great and take your time to get to know them before getting too invested.

Oh gosh clearly they were a bit cheeky, taking your voucher as a(nothrr) group discount, rather than your payment., but I also think I might not have flashed any of the discounts on my first meal out with a new group, because I’d always be worried that I was only then invited out for future trips because of the discount. (That’s my insecurity coming through clearly)

My friend gets Tesco vouchers as she does a lot of shopping there, we often meet at pizza express for dinner and she uses the vouchers to take £ off the total so we all pay less. If I ever have vouchers I would do the same so it's a cheaper night for all. So I think you did the right thing by not saying anything. Tbh I would feel a bit selfish just using it for my share but not sure why I would feel that way now I'm thinking about it.
However, was it not the voucher you were using for a raffle prize or is there a different voucher?
Also did they know you could get a discount at that specific place before inviting you, if so that's a bit CF behaviour.

The main thing is, if you get on with them and can see yourself building genuine friendships, then just let it lie and think no more on it. Use future vouchers if you want as it's a nice friendly gesture, but if you don't want to then I wouldn't just use it for yourself with this group until your familiar enough to voice that.

I would have said something along the lines of "sorry ladies, this one's for me". They're not the kind of people I'd want to be close friends with if they take umbrage with you using a voucher for your own meal.

I think it was cheeky of the new "friend" to suggest this as it was your voucher and surprised no one said "It's Nicenight's voucher. she already got us a discount" but also mainly wondering why they invited you and whether it was for your discount? Were they even going there anyway or did they go as they knew you'd get it cheaper for them? A bit suss.

'I'll use my staff discount to reduce our bill....!'

'I'll use my gift card to cover my share...!'

Understand why you haven't buy you should of spoke up - they may of thought it was all staff perks and I think could of easily been challenged

I wouldn't let it put you off building a friendship x

I personally would have found it really weird if you'd paid with a voucher. I'd have thought if you had brought it along that it would have been to share and get money off the bill. I don't think anyone has done anything malicious here - I don't think they're using you for your discount. I think they've just maybe missed the point that you'd wanted to use it
For yourself. I think you did the right thing to sacrifice it.

Did they know that you get a 33% discount at the restaurant they'd booked? If so, I'd assume that's why you were invited.

Whoever suggested it is a CF. Doesn't sound like someone you want as a friend.

It is really unusual for a well established friendship group with older DC to invite a new person for a night out.

Please be careful.

I think you're going about making friends in quite an intense way that leaves you open to being used. It's great that you are being proactive about getting out there and meeting people but try not to prioritise making friends so much so that you don't care what they are like. You deserve friends that you click with, share interests with and who appreciate you. I would tread carefully with this group.

They were cheeky to use your voucher but it's a bit awkward to pay with a voucher when others aren't imo.

Hindsight is great but I would have kept the voucher for another time, save any awkwardness.

I'm a bit sceptical that they weren't using you a bit though...the invite, discount and then grabbing the voucher. Be wary.

I'm not sure about this. When I have a discount voucher I always share it with my friends when we go out and they do the same. However, I wouldn't actually ask someone else to do this, as was the case here. I think that's kind of presumptuous. However, if I had been in your position, I would have offered anyway.

I would have been pissed off as you’d already got them discount which they should have been happy with! However I’d let it slide this time in order to make friends!

Also, reception year - lots of mums will still be finding their feet re getting to know the other mums.

Nah they were cheeky fucks.. they didn't go there because you had a voucher they already got 30% reduction and they are grabbing over a further 3GBP?

I would have done the same in the same situation but nah no more discounts for them.

i think I’m with them actually. If you’ve got a buy one get one free two people go halves I think. So same sort of scenario here. That’s a really good deal you got for them all so maybe it’s different. Just be careful they’re aren’t friends with you for your discount.

You played it right but just keep your eyes open to make sure they are your friends for the right reason and not just interested in your discounts!