Is this stingy or completely fine?

[DrBendix]

One of my colleagues is leaving.

They recently submitted their PhD and got a prestigious new job

For their PhD submission, I bought prosecco which we shared. For their new job, I made cakes for the whole team to share.

Now I've offered to take them out for lunch. I want this to be a restaurant rather than just a quick panini in a cafe. I want to suggest Pizza Express mainly because I've got a 2-4-1 voucher.
Is that really stingy? Or is it okay?

Basically I want to treat them for lunch somewhere "proper" but I don't want to pay upwards of £30 for this. Money's really tight at the moment.

Totally fine. I wouldn’t have a problem with you using a voucher either.

Makes total sense to use a voucher - you sound like a very generous colleague!

Money's tight and you're taking them out for lunch? You are lovely. And I like Pizza Express. I'd rather go there than to a fancy restaurant. 2-4-1 is all the better. Your colleague is still getting a free meal, regardless of whether you use a voucher or not.

That's very kind. Is it always you doing things for them, or do they reciprocate?
If I have something to celebrate at work, I'd usually make cakes or something myself, I wouldn't expect a colleague to do that on my behalf.

Brilliant, I'm so glad it's okay.

I had visions of all those threads on dating where people bemoan men using vouchers to pay for date nights. I know this isn't a date but still.

Plus, I bloody love Pizza Express
@ISmellBabies It's fairly one-sided BUT I've been their mentor so I'm in a position of 'authority' and I earn a lot more than they do so it's no problem. They have bought me a few gifts over the years for Xmas anyway

Fine. I'd be grateful for Pizza Express.

You sound a lovely, thoughtful mentor for doing all the above things, OP.

The bar's set high for their next colleagues!

@CampfireZen HA! That's really kind of you to say so.

Absolutely fine.

I would be disappointed if you didn't use a voucher at Pizza Express. There are so many of them around there's no excuse for paying full price.

I would mention the voucher just so you don't worry about bringing it up on the day. I know that sounds sad but it would hang over me a bit as all vouchers do in all scenarios. I worry something won't be valid or they will deliver the bill before I have presented it. Wow I need to get over this.

P.s sounds lovely.

Oh yeah I have no problem saying that I have a voucher. I just didn't want it to look totally stinge-fest

Happy to laugh at myself for being stingy just as long as it's not actually stingy IYSWIM

In no way is it stingy. You are a lovely colleague.

I think it’s pretty accepted that you don’t go to pizza express without a 2-4-1.