I have been known for my disdain of coupons. For clipping them. Using them. And worst, in my opinion, for using them at restaurants. A few years ago I attempted to use a buy-one-get-one-free-entree coupon at a nice Vancouver restaurant. I hid the coupon in my hand, crinkling it smaller and smaller, as it became damp with stress. In the end, I made my date exercise the coupon if she insisted, which she did. But that was it for me, no more coupons. A restaurant is not a grocery store, it is not a discount bin. If you go somewhere for cuisine, pay the price in the menu. Coupons just devalue the whole experience. I think its shoddy marketing and tacky dining. But if you disagree with me, like many seem to, About.com has written a guide to using coupons in restaurants. Just don’t ask me to go WITH you. Shudder.

Photo by .Uvitra. CC-BY-NC