To think that my friend was a CF with restaurant discount?

[LeslieRunner]

I went for dinner with my friend on Saturday. She moved away from our local area about a year ago - the restaurant we went to she used to go to quite regularly because it was near where she worked, and the staff recognised her.

When the bill was provided, the manager said she’d removed the cost of my friends meal (they always used to use each others businesses) and my friend was really grateful.

When we go out, we always split the cost proportionate to what we each picked. The discount for my friends meal came to over £50. So with the final bill, all she had to pay was her half of the wine we shared, and I had to pay for my meal plus my share of the wine which came to over £60.

I haven’t said this to her, but I feel like my friend could have passed some of the discount on to me and offered to pay a greater share. I would definitely have done similar…

I think she should have paid for the wine as a gesture, rather than just paying for her half.

I agree with the majority - it wasn't like a 50% voucher or 50% off the meal - they specifically comped her meal, because she uses their business and they use hers. They did her a favour because she helps them in other ways (whatever her business is) - which you don't, so there's no reason you should benefit from their reciprocal arrangement.

That said, I probably personally would have offered to cover the wine (unless that came to more than your meal!)

Yeah - it’d piss me off too. It was an opportunity for her to be generous. I’d have shared it with you. She didn’t do anything “wrong” but it was a moment for her to show you how much you mean to her and pay fwd what she had received. *Loud raspberry blowing sound 👎

There’s a huge gap between being a CF and being a good friend.

I wouldn’t say she was a CF. (If anything I’d say it’s CF behaviour to think she’s obliged to pass the discount on). But I would see it as a sign she’s a bit tight, which I do not consider an endearing quality in a friend.

She could have offered to split the remainder, I would have, but not doing so doesn't make her a CF.

Bet you'd happily share the discount of a friend if they offered though Moomin.

'Making a big deal' 😂

I’d have shared it, but it sounds like they have a reciprocal arrangement so she’ll end up paying in kind anyway. It’s not a complete freebie.

Yeah, I would have paid for the wine.

I don't think she's obligated to pass on the discount and saying she's a CF is a bit harsh but I can see your point and she could have paid more.

If anything I'd be annoyed if she chose to go to that place for the discount if you wouldn't have chosen it and you can suggest somewhere else next time if it doesn't benefit you.

I can't get past this fabulous image of her brooming his dog! Or filling it. I wonder what one would use for that.......

When the bill was provided, the manager said she’d removed the cost of my friends meal (they always used to use each others businesses) and my friend was really grateful.

I bet she was!! Christ.

I'd definately would have split the final bill with you.

I would have felt I was subsidising both companies.

Fuck that.

If I brought a voucher i would share but this id probably buy my friend a drink after

Indeed, but I add also:

her consequences to bear

which is op feeling a bit hard done by

im with op. I would have shared the discount

Another thread full of very strange black and white responses that in no way reflect true friendship. Of course the discount should have been shared! I can’t imagine this scenario with a friend, and not going halves on the final bill, and toasting our good luck!

I never said that I wouldn’t share myself I just said I wouldn’t cry about it 😆

My sister would have done that (share the discount I mean)

I'd have shared the discount with a friend.

If I have a voucher, I always take it off the cost and then split the remainder of the bill.

It would feel mean to do otherwise. 99% of the time, my friends and I split the bill between us. The only time we might change that is if it's a family outing, then we pay per person. I've only one child, two friends have two, another has four.

Hmm I’m torn. On one hand I think yeah, fair play to her, she was the one given the meal for free by her “contact” if you will, so why shouldn’t she relish in that? She got that meal for free because of business dealings she’s done in the past, it’s nothing to do with you etc. She should be able to relish in her treat.
On the other hand I do think she could’ve maybe offered to pay for the wine or something at the very least, just so there’s a bonus for both of you.
A few years ago I went out for dinner with a friend, we got a drink, main and desert each. When we got brought the bill, they’d forgotten to put her main on it. She was delighted that she only had to pay for her coke and her desert. I do remember thinking at the time, it would’ve been nice to split the bill equally so we both could enjoy the restaurants mistake, but also wasn’t too fussed as I just thought “ah well, luck of the draw,” kind of thing.

I think you're the CF for expecting it.

For me it would hinge on whether she knew, or could have expected they'd do this - if so it would seem a bit mean to suggest going, knowing only you'd have to pay

Personally I can't imagine not sharing the "discount" but we're all different and I agree she had no obligation to do this

I would have shared it but this friend was possibly feeling grateful to the restaurant owner and thought it would be wrong not to keep the whole discount - OP doesn’t know what her thinking was.
I slightly blame the giver of the discount. Better to discount the whole bill or make the wine free for both.

She didn't share her good fortune with you. What kind of friend does that? I wouldnt be seeing her again.

What’s she like as a person generally? Generous or no?

The free meal was a gift to her from the owner not a discount off your bill so no, not cheeky. Presumably she may gift him something from her business in due course or has in the past at her own expense.

Hmmm dunno. I'd have seen it as a discount for both of us, but I think I can see why she saw it as just for her. Is she usually quite tight?