How Should you Split the Check When Using a Groupon?
By Anthony Todd in Food on May 12, 2011 4:30PM
Groupon (and its attendant clones and hangers-on) seems to be changing the dining landscape pretty quickly. Especially with the new "Groupon Now" feature that launched this week, it seems like, for better or for worse, we'll be using a lot of coupons for the foreseeable future. Perhaps the bubble will burst someday, but for now, the use of online coupons brings up some interesting questions about tipping, manners and splitting checks. Slate's "Manners for the Digital Age" podcast fielded this question from a listener: If one diner contributes a Groupon to the cost of a meal, how do you split the check?
Slate's answer: Diners should always offer a coupon as a "group thing." In other words, if you bring a coupon, it's just a gift to the group - everyone gets money off. They argue that it is "implicit that you're going to be sharing [the discount] with the table." They also suggest you save the coupons for solo outings. It's worth noting that neither of the podcasts hosts use coupons of any sort - they "feel chintzy."
Where do we even start? First off, while we're open to discussion on this issue, we're not sure that by bringing a Groupon, a diner is obligated to engage in group philanthropy. Isn't the point of investing in a Groupon to save money? When budgets are tight, and my companion had the foresight to bring a Groupon, my first inclination is usually to just pick up the rest of the check - which is almost always still a good deal for everyone involved. Moreover, the hosts discuss Groupon as if it was giving you a "discount" - which it's not, really. Effectively, the person who has a Groupon has a gift certificate to the restaurant. With their logic, if I bring an American Express Gift Card to pay for my meal, it's my obligation to donate it to the group and split it equally amongst all comers.
The hosts do, at least, insist that you should tip on the full amount - kudos to them, and to everyone who does this. Groupon even puts a reminder to that effect on the printouts. On the other hand, it seems odd that two people discussing "manners for the digital age" both don't use online coupons. What do you think? How do you handle splitting the check when one person brings a coupon?