Should I tell him I'm getting a freebie for his birthday meal?

[StrongFemaleCharacter]

DP's birthday is soon. There's a new restaurant in town and it's his favourite type of food so I suggested we go there. I follow them on FB and noticed after he had agreed to go there but before I booked that they're offering a particular main course for free if you used the link to book. It just so happens that it's what I would order (DP wouldn't, not spicy enough!). So, that's it really, and my question is whether I should mention to him that my main course will be free. I don't really want to, but then again I'd be so embarrassed when the bill comes if they say "Oh and your "noodles" are on the house". What do you think? (I'm paying of course! and we'll be having drinks and starters too)

Well I would personally be impressed that DP was savvy enough to get a free dinner 😁.

I've got an email confirmation that my dish would be free but can you imagine if they forget and I have to wave it under their nose 😬

Go to the bathroom just after dessert arrives, pay the bill on the way back. Then tell DP the bill is all settled, big smile 😀

Realistically, would he actually care?!?

Why would he care??

Not an issue. It would be off to get him to order the free food, but you have what you like and if you save money on it, you could buy him a little extra gift, if you like.

Why would you NOT mention it?

It wouldn’t bother me.

Yeah, in my household:

Me: “babe, I can get my meal for free if we go to ABC restaurant for your birthday - you ok with that?”
DP: “abso fricking lutely - great find”

I don’t really understand why it would be an issue, unless you said “you need to order this particular meal”. As it’s you getting the freebie, and especially as it’s one you want anyway, it’s just a great bonus. if he had any issue with it I’d question what kind of person he was.

Just say, "Hey, great coincidence. Tony's are doing a free main the night we are going for your birthday. That will save a few quid!"
He'll be delighted

My DP would 100% embrace that...who does not love a free meal? Don't sweat it and if you must compensate then an extra drink or dessert will do the trick. But if you are paying he does not even need to know 🤣

Not seeing the problem. I'd happily whip out a promo code when the bill came. The only time I'd not do this is if it meant he had to order something specific but that's not the case here.

You're going to a place you like, ordering a meal you like. Why would he be happier or have a better birthday if at the end of the night the restaurant has an extra £15 or you have that £15 still in your bank.

I don't see a problem. More money for birthday cocktails.

Is this a very new relationship? I can't think of any other reason you would be hesitating over this at all. It's a restaurant that he wanted to go to, it isn't like you have cajoled him into a place he doesn't like to save yourself a few quid.

Oh Tim, I've booked the table for your birthday now, and they had a deal on for a dish I want so that good timing.

Easy.

Why are you overthinking this? Are there issues in your relationship or a back story you’ve not shared?

😂 honestly I’d be the first person on there to look for deals even if my partner was taking me out so don’t worry! If you’re feeling like he’ll be grumpy about it just explain that you saw it after you’d mentioned it and maybe grab an extra bottle of wine or side. Honestly though it shouldn’t be an issue.

Exactly!!

My DH would be encouraging me to make use of the free meal. Whenever we go out for dinner (not often with three kids), we look for somewhere we can use a voucher or his work benefits or my blue light card. Money is all shared though so it really doesn’t matter who pays the bill.

I can't see the problem. Does he think something is necessarily better if more money is spent on it?

I'd be excitedly telling my DH about my brilliant find!!

Is he a snob? This doesn't make sense, who doesn't love a bargain.

Blimey, I didn't realise people were still commenting until it showed up in Active tonight! So just to catch up, I wasn't overthinking it, I was just wondering. Yes I told him beforehand, no issues at all. It never occurred to me that he would be cross about it, that's not the case at all, It was more the "etiquette" (can't think of the right word) of the situation. The restaurant had forgotten so I had to mention it when the bill came. We went on for drinks afterwards and had a lovely night.