Yesterday in my entrepreneurship class, while working on a project where we had to market a product to people who had just began dating or were early in a relationship, we got into a discussion on dating and what you can or cannot do and what's right and what's taboo. Someone mentioned the idea of a man using a coupon on a first date to pay for dinner. The question was met with criticism from most of the younger females in the class and only a couple said that they wouldn't mind it. It got me thinking about it and wondering what both the males and females on here thought about it.

When I was back at home working on homework for the class I asked my girlfriend what she thought of a man using a coupon to pay for dinner on the first date. She thought about it for a minute then said it might depend on how well she knew the man she guessed. She said it could show either that the man is conscious about the economy and is into saving money, or it could also imply that the man is cheap and isn't interested in spending money on his date. My girlfriend went on to say that it wouldn't bother her nor would it be a factor on whether she agreed to a second date or not. Although she's the only one who mentioned that, her and the majority of the women in my class agreed that it would be more appropriate to save the coupons for the next date or so.



So I ask you, both males and females, what is your thought and how do you feel about using coupons on a first date?

It's fine depending on the setting. If your first date is at the Dairy Queen, there's no reason to avoid it, as it's already obstensibly a casual encounter. Besides, for those of us who've already moved past the high school stage and into the working world, frugality is not often viewed in negative terms.

I ordered my wife from Russia with a coupon. She was 75% off.

Have to agree with Mr. E.

Personally, I would be put off towards the woman if she took the majority's mindset. The date is supposed to be there for you to get to know me, not worry about how much I spend on you. To me, you show just as much quality as a person as the 50% off coupon if you take offense to a coupon's use on a date.

I wish I could find such savings.

That's kind of what I figured in terms of people being past the average dating scene, and like you said, have been in the working world for some time and understand the actual value of money.

I've been with my girlfriend since early high school and we just got a house together at the beginning of the summer so we're kind of in the learning stages of being on our own and the importance of saving money. I just thought it's a really interesting question due to how people some what older are very cautious of spending money when the younger demographic looks as coupons as not necessarily a negative thing, but it's not an "attractive" thing. I could probably ace this project if I can somehow incorporate that into it to where my professor would recognize what I was trying to do.

I think people need to svck up their pride. By people I mean women. Seriously, this isn't the 50s anymore. Instead of whining that your companion used a coupon, why don't you foot half the bill? Entitled people man...

I would have no objections either using a coupon or having my companion use one. I guess I'm understanding to other people's financial woes and if a woman is that superficial, [censored] her.

I'm not even that old, going to be 30 in January.

I am just of the mind set of when you date someone you're there for them, not the money.

Point of fact: One of my best dates lasted for three hours at a Starbucks in the mall.

If a woman doesn't like the idea of a man using a coupon, then she is perfectly free to pay for dinner using her own money.

If I were on a date and my partner paid with a coupon, I'd be happy. I'm often critical of unnecessary spending, so any money saved is good in my book.

Unfortunately I'm a man and will probably have to pay for dates, so this is a courtesy I'll likely not receive.

Which limbs is she missing?

Ah I apologize. I didn't mean for it to sound like "older" people were the ones I was referring too. I meant people who have had a chance to spend a solid amount of time in the working world.

Pretty much this. What were some of the reasons against using coupons on the first date? I mean if you can save money, go for it.

The women in my class, most of whom are between the ages of 18-25, said that it might look like the man is cheap. It could make them feel like the man didn't think the woman was worth spending the price of a dinner on. Having said that, they went on to explain that if they knew tha man a bit better, perhaps having spent some time with him before the first date, and understood that he was interested in actually saving money then they wouldn't mind it. I don't know, they were kind of inconclusive after the men and the older women of the class gave their opinions.

Personally I would never do it on a first date, really, I mean if its two years into a relationship and you're going to Applebee's why not. Not on a first date if you're trying to make an impression.

Sounds to me like you have a class full of pampered princesses. Do me a favor and tell the darlings to get over themselves, yes?

Money is money. If you're judging me by how much I spend for you, go home.

Yes, there definitely are some of them in that particular class and they were among the first to quickly shoot down the idea that coupons are appropriate on first dates. It's a little funny because their opinions changed a little after some of the more mature women spoke up and agreed that no one should be judging anyone on money during a first date, Especially if that date is the one who was paying for the night. However, some of the more "pampered" girls had no change of heart.

Well I'd rather make dinner for a person. In this case, would it make a difference if I bought the ingredients on sale or with coupons? I don't think so. Why should it matter if you use one to buy a cooked meal?

Women are so shallow, if it was me I would toss a coin to see who pays the bill.

I'd save the coupons for later dates or when I need to buy myself lunch for work (guy).

I'd do it. Using a coupon is like being fiscally responsible which is a good thing to have in a partner. If a girl got upset because I used a coupon I'd assume she liked me for my money which I don't have anyways. Haha.

She's getting a free meal. Unless she wants to pay for it she can keep hush.

That is a fantastic point! I would have loved to bring your point up in the class during that discussion. Probably would have silenced some of the more "high-maintenance" girls who were just appalled at the idea of using coupons for anything on a date.

Oh you know, after thinking about it for a minute, I bet those girls wouldn't want to have anything to do with a man who would stay in for a first date rather than take the girl out. That's the kind of girls these particular ones are. Quite egregious.

Ehh. Don't try to make them see the flaw in their logic. Save your breathe and use this ordeal as an opportunity to ask one of the smarter girls in your class, "How about we go put this question to the test, you and I?"

But really. It sounds like you have the real life equivalent of Youtube Comments going on in your classroom.