What's proper when dining out & you have a gift card? Use it for yourself, or include other diners?

Question

A male friend and I go out for supper about once a month. To make things easy, we each pay separately, for our own meals and drinks.

I received a gift card for my birthday recently for a restaurant. Should I offer to use it to pay part of my friend's meal. It's for $25, my meal would usually be $15, so I'd have $10 leftover.

We don't pay for each other when we use credit or debit cards. What's the right etiquette?--although my friend won't take offense as is.

Answer 1

If you do use your gift card when your friend is with you, I would pay his bill also.  If the bill is over your $25, divide the difference.  Otherwise I would use it when I was by myself.

Answer 2

If you both usually pay for your own meal, then the gift card is the same as cash. Just because the meal is free for you does not mean you are obligated to make it free for your friend as well. Although I would offer at least to buy him a drink to go with his meal or pick up the dessert.

Answer 3

I think whatever is assumed and whatever you normally do is proper. In this case, you would pay for your own meal and tip.

However, if you're feeling really nice, you can take the gift card to apply it to both your meals and have him pay for the remainder of his meal and a tip for both of you. That is proper also.

Answer 4

You seem to be a nice & caring individual, I applaud you just for that.

My suggestion to you:  Use the gift card to pay for both meals.

It is such a nice feeling to bless others!

It does the heart well!

Answer 5

I would buy your friend a drink or a dessrt Also it was your birthday present, so order something extra for yourself.

Answer 6

I don't see it being a problem if you pay for yourself and only yourself with the gift card.  You're still following "tradition" or if you're still uncomfortable just wait and use the gift card at a later time.

Answer 7

If you usually pay separately, then use the gift card for yourself, I think.

Answer 8

it would be kind of odd to use only part of the gift card for part of the check..  maybe tell your friend that you will cover him this time and he covers you next time..

Answer 9

Might be nice to pay for the whole meal as a treat for you both but it is entirely up to you as long as he wouldn't order more expensive just to take advantage of your generosity, I hate it when ppl do that!