Vouchers no turn-off to romance

THE vast majority of Scots would not be offended if their date paid the bill using a discount voucher or code to save cash, a survey has revealed.

Nine out of ten people said they would not mind if their date tried to save money by using a money-off coupon, while 43 per cent have already “treated” potential partners to a meal or drink using a cut price deal.

The recession has seen a major growth in discount 
leisure offers – using voucher sites such as DealMonster or Groupon. Chain restaurants such as Pizza Express also regularly have discounts on offer, sent out to regular customers via email or offered on the company’s 
website.

Only 13 per cent of people said they would not accept a date paying with a discount voucher, according to the report by cashback website TopCashback.co.uk.

Natasha-Rachel Smith, consumer affairs expert at the site, said: “With recent news that 32 per cent of households have reported a squeeze in their
finances, it’s clear that budgeting and money-saving continues to be high on our agenda.

“It’s due to this that we’re 
seeing a change in the perception around using discount vouchers, codes and cashback deals, which are increasing in popularity and forming part of consumers’ everyday spending habits, to the point that using a voucher at a restaurant has
become the norm – even a 
prerequisite - for many.”

The report also found just 39 per cent of people believe it is acceptable to try to save money on a first date while others insist it is not until a second, third or fourth date is reached.

Some traditional daters rem­ain, with a third believing vouchers should be avoided until someone is part of an
official couple.