To think there's no shame in taking a generous discount?

[Lighthousekeeping]

I'm supposed to be organising a posh night out at a restaurant. There will be four of us it's a special occasion. We were thinking of The Ivy or something similar. Anyway I bumped into an old friend who I keep I touch with now an again. We aren't best buddies but message on fb etc. anyway, at the end of the conversation she told me that her husband works at The Ivy not the Ivy btw and if I ever wanted to go to let her know as she would get me the 30% discount. A lot of money to us. Bloody hell, my colleagues have said under no circumstances they would be mortified! Really?

You would be mad not too!

Take it! If they're so mortified that they don't want the discount the get seperate bills and have the 30% applied only to yours :)

your colleagues are daft!

They sound silly! I know some seriously well off and quite posh folk due to my work and believe me, they take EVERY discount offered.

Yadnbu. They're idiots.
Let them pay the full price and you keep the lovely discount for yourself.
I always use vouchers or discount codes when I eat out..my sil thinks the same as your friends.
Which is probably why I've gone out with her shes really a complete bitch and I'd rather stick pins in me that go anywhere with her

Me again I've got a regular customer at work who spends a bloody fortune everytime I serve her, she pays using a black American Express card.
But she always uses her store points card and petrol vouchers.

If her husband is happy to do this, then why not?

Well, split the bill 3 ways - you can have the 30% free as your bill!

Isn't it called being prudent with their money? After all, do they collect their nectar points, and have a boots advantage card? Never bogoff?

Bonkers imo. benefit from it yourself if they wont.

YANBU, colleagues are nuts!

Ha, you should get the discount offer printed out onto a gaudy voucher and loudly declare it to the wait staff before you order...

Bloody take it. Why wouldn't you?

We lay enough for everything else, take the discount.

We are not skint but I take every discount I can. I also use loyalty awards to pay for. My cottage holidays and using the Shuttle to France.

Of course you take up the offer!

They won't take it?!

Free meal for you then. [thumbs]

Why on earth would they not want a legitimate discount ? < Weirdos >

Take the discount, buy friend's DH a gift to say thank you.

As tea said, thats how the rich stay rich, I have never known a rich person who isnt as tight as a ducks arse when it comes to paying for things!

I used to work in a gastro pub in a v posh village and it was always the multi millionaires that tried to get money off the bill, used vouchers, came on BOGOF night etc!

TAKE THE DISCOUNT!!!

I think I'll take some new friends

I genuinely don't understand why anyone would not take it, let alone 'be mortified' - what's to 'be mortified' about ?

YANBU

Why not? Go for it, enjoy

Listen OP, you and me sound like sisters. When is the dinner?

I genuinely don't understand why anyone would not take it, let alone 'be mortified' - what's to 'be mortified' about?

I think I understand (although I wouldn't necessarily try to justify). I suspect it might be:

1. feelings of insecurity about being an impostor in a posh/monied place

-and-

1. quashing those feelings of insecurity by making ostentatious shows of wealth.

-therefore-

1. scoffing at idea that they might only be there by dint of a "money off" offer.

-furthermore-

1. needing to be openly disdainful at anyone who takes up a "money off" offer.

Glad you explained it but seriously - Hyacinth Bucket much.

In some posh Michelin-starred restaurants, it can be VERY awkward to ask for a discount to be applied. Not all, by any means - some are lovely and friendly. But some of the stuffier ones definitely would be snooty or raise an eyebrow. Plus they can be really quiet, which makes it harder to ask.

I once made the mistake of saying to a sommelier at a posh restaurant in London that I liked the wine match he had offered me. That was it - just an expression of pleasure. I thought I was being nice - I'm not a wine buff, and would never act like I knew a lot about it. He made me try to guess every single match for every course thereafter. There were 8 courses! It was so embarrassing and I felt well and truly put in my place. I would never go back there - though the fact that the food was the most boring I've had in a 'rated' place is also a factor.