I have a huge geekcrush on Alfred Matthew Yankovic. Love his songs, love his videos, love his twisted sense of humor, and most of all love the fact that his parodies are equal parts silliness and intelligence.
Don’t believe me? Go watch the “Word Crimes” video. I love the fact that he included some of my own word-related peeves, such as “literally” and “I could care less.”
He’s a man after my own heart. As my friend Linda B. would say, I want him to have my children.
But while his parody of Pharrell’s “Happy” mostly made me giggle like mad, I also have to take issue with one of the lyrics. Watch the video and see if you can guess which one it is. (Note: It’s even funnier if you watch Pharrell’s original music video first.)
So did you guess which one it was?
Yep: “Bring along my coupon book whenever I’m on a date.” Call me way-too-frugal if you like, but I don’t see a problem with that.
A bad first impression?
Yet I can see why others would, especially if it’s a first date. Some people might see that BOGO and think, “What kind of cheapskate am I dealing with here?” Especially if the guy/gal blithely chirps, “I’ll get this check and you can get the next one” – in effect, s/he has paid for one meal and is expecting you to pick up the tab for two next time.
Maybe there won’t be a next time.
Myself, I’m cool with BOGOs or other coupons. But if I were using one for a date I’d be concerned about that I-pay-one-you-pay-two thing. If my dinner companion were interested I’d offer tips on finding coupons/deals, or let him page through my Entertainment Book in search of future deliciousness next time.
Again, that’s assuming there would be a next time.
Since frugality often has negative connotations, it’s easy to understand why Weird Al (and his fans) might think it’s tacky to take coupons on a date.
To the uninitiated, “coupon user” equals “joyless miser.” You know, the kind of person who spends his free time turning down the thermostat, washing plastic bags and turning dual-ply toilet paper into a pair of single-ply rolls. The kind of person who might invite you over for tea and color both cups with the same bag, then hand you a single packet of sugar swiped from the office coffee station.
‘Careful’ doesn’t equal ‘stingy’
It’s no fun to date Scrooge McDuck. But being careful with money doesn’t necessarily translate into “stingy bastard.”
Some frugalists cut corners wherever possible in order to put more income toward goals such as paying off college loans (or consumer debt), starting a business (or a family) or saving for homes (or retirement). Others are frugal because otherwise they wouldn’t survive.
Cautious money practices kept the lights on when I was really broke – yet they also made it possible for me to give. When things were at their leanest, “charitable giving” was still a $20 line item in my monthly budget. I also used my mad couponing skillz to get free toiletries for shelters and nearly free school supplies for a social services agency.
Thus I find it impossibly sexy when DF uses a coupon, for groceries or (more rarely) dinner out. He’s doing it because he sees no reason to overpay for a product or service. When I recently saved us more than $100 on a home improvement project by purchasing discounted gift cards, he found it very agreeable indeed.
How about it, readers: Do coupons boost your entertainment budget? Would you be offended if someone else brought along a coupon book on a first date, or subsequent dates?
Related reading:
Gee…and I was concentrating on that stupid black-with-the-pink-hands-on shirt worn by the girl in the elevator…and trying not to be offended by that!
(I love the “Happy” song, but this IS very happy – especially with the cameo by Jack Black)
Even the part where he practices his twerking moves? With a bejeweled fanny pack? :-O
Cindy – Kristen Schaal’s shirt is supposed to be tacky. That’s the whole point. hehe, someone on twitter asked her where she got it. She said “Where would you wear it??” As for the coupon thing, I think using them every time you go on a date would be considered tacky. Sure, it’s good to be frugal, but there’s a fine line between being frugal and being tacky.
I respectfully disagree about coupons and dates. Obviously it depends on the individual but some of us wouldn’t find it tacky at all if a guy said “I have a Groupon for that new Ethiopian restaurant, would you like to have dinner there?” or “Just printed out a BOGO for Dairy Queen Blizzards — wanna come along?”
That sounds fine, but he’s talking about every time. At least, that’s how I’m interpreting it. I think it would limit where you could go. Of course, I’m married to MR. “I don’t like to go out”, so I don’t get to go out and eat, unless it’s with a friend. Maybe I’m defending Al more than the lyric here.
I will add that he’s talking about bringing the whole book, not a coupon from the book. I would have no problem with a guy using a coupon to save money, but bringing the whole damn book every time? Tacky. Have you seen these coupon books? They look like telephone books!
Unless he’s saying, “Here are some possibilities. Do any of them sound like what you want to eat?”
I know, I know… but when I’m staring at her chest, instead of looking at her face, I still wonder…
And the coupon thing never bothered me – for dates, and for now. If anything, I’d admire the person for being careful with their money.
Absolutely not! I might fall in love if someone used a coupon for dinner. However, he would have to tip the waiter for the dinner that was free. Sometimes I am the one to suggest a frugal behavior.
I despise stingy. I went out with a guy who invited me to a very expensive restaurant then headed for a cheaper chain, saying the other was not open that night. At the restaurant, he kept saying he was not very hungry and was going to eat light tonight, was not going to order anything but an appetizer and side salad. So, he kept telling me to order. I did and made sure it did not cost too much. THEN, he ordered an appetizer and two entrees, expensive ones. So, I said I thought that sounded good and ordered more food.
Later in the week, he said he wanted water from a service station and what did I want. He brought back a water for me. For himself he got water, coke, and chocolate milk, crackers and a candy bar. Jerk.
I think there are more men using coupons these days in groceries and restaurants.
i have a friend i go to dinner with 4-6x/year. I am the one that ALWAYS finds the coupon on Groupon or restaurant.com We always work out things out so we do TOTALLY split the bill.
However,I am beginning to feel bad about it because we pretty go to places near me so he has a MUCH longer drive. Then again, he claims to be confused by and/or not have the time to do the restaurant web sites and we generally save us each $5-10.
Sometimes we even throw caution to the wind and try REALLY different type places. Recently we went for Peruvian (GREAT!).
When my son turned 21, he wanted the entire (immediate) family (aunts, cousins, etc. It was a Wednsday) invited out to celebrate. He works there, so we got a 20% discount and got a GC from the rewards card. That’s the only way he was going to get what he wanted. DH and I have been married17 years (blended family) and our idea of a fancy date is time to talk together, just us, at the local pizza place. The 21-year-old thinks we’re crazy.
The first date I went on with my husband, I took him to ihop with a buy 1 get free coupon, he treated, but it showed that i cared about saving and being frugal. A trait that he also values.
First date might be a turn off for using a coupon–at least in public. Why not buy two for one theatre tickets and mention it in the course of the date and gauge reaction?
My husband and I use restaurant.com coupons for restaurants that we otherwise patronize. Feels good to know we saved some $$.
Loved both videos! Thanks for giving me a glimpse of happiness and tackiness this morning.
I like that idea: “I was so happy to find a coupon/social buying voucher for this show” or “This is a Cinemark gift card that cost 20 percent less because I bought it on the secondary market” might elicit either a groan or a “Really? Tell me more.”
Then again, even the groan could start a conversation. “You seem upset by this voucher/gift card. How come?” If s/he responds with, “That sounds like something my DAD would do,” you can go from there. “The more I can save, the further my money goes. I enjoy a lot more evenings out but I don’t worry about the bills because I’m staying within budget.”
This might help the other person look at things in a different way. It also might not. But if s/he is looking for a sugar daddy/mama, better you should know right away.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
I am not sure how I would feel about it on the first date! In my 20’s I would have thought cheep! In my 30’s I would have thought he must have money problems! In my 40’s I would welcome it with a smile 🙂
Maybe first dates should be at very affordable places. During the conversation you can talk about careful use of money, and if the person makes faces at the examples you provide you can evaluate whether that second date takes place.
Some people do embrace frugality after being exposed to it — specifically, seeing what it can do for the bottom line — but others just aren’t interested. Fair enough. The question is, how much of your time do you want to spend with someone whom you believe is being irritated by something that’s important to you?
My answer is none! I have become frugal after raising 2 kids on my own and giving them a very nice life with a good education, nice clothes, nice home, a few nice vacations. Now I am looking that I need to build my bottom line for RETIREMENT 🙂 Knowing now what I have spent time learning for the past few years …. I wish I would have become frugal earlier because it is still a nice life but you don’t spend money when it isn’t needed. I appreciate life in a different way.
Okay, Donna, I’m going to jump on one of your ponies here. Besides the whole “literally” thing being misused constantly, my other irritating misuse of words involves “nonplussed”. I *never* see it used correctly. Not ever, not once. I’m begging you people to look it up. It does *not* mean calm. It sounds like it should, but it doesn’t.
Amen.
There are several things in this song to be offended by but I know that’s what he does to stay relevant but know I would not be offended by a coupon. I use coupons and if I had one for where we ate I would offer it.
In fact, Weird Al is pretty frugal himself. He’s said he stays focused when filming music videos by filming dollar bills flying out the window. And take a look at the videos for “Smells Like Nirvana” and the live-performance videos of “You’re Pitiful.” You’ll see he recycled the tutu!
As I said: I want him to have my children.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I too have an unrequited love for Weird Al-my favorite is Amish Paradise 🙂
If I were single, I would probably be impressed if someone used a coupon on a date with me. That’s HOT!
I busted out the coupons on the second date I had with my husband. My sister and friends were appalled, but he said it was another sign he had found “the one.”
And right he was….Congratulations on finding a keeper yourself.
How about “we can go to see a show but I’ll make you pay?” Considering that you recently posted that the ladies should be picking up their share of the checks…
As long as a guy is willing to pick up his fair share as well, I have no problem with paying.
I think of coupons as money without a government stamp on it. No problem using them anywhere, anytime. Clipping coupons, checking websites for promotions, getting rebates, all of these are like a part-time job on which you pay no income taxes and no FICA. I saved $10 on my oil change this week using a coupon I downloaded in about 5 minutes. As far as part time jobs go, it pays pretty well. I’d be no more embarrassed about using coupons than I would be about using a credit card.
If my date busted out a coupon I would consider that foreplay and want to know where he got it from! I am always in search of new ways to save money – why pay full price if you don’t have to? It’s not about being cheap, it’s about neing smart with your finances – the guy with a coupon in his wallet is a CATCH in my world!
Coupon = foreplay. Are we cousins, maybe? 😉
I have no problem with coupons on a date, unless they are used like this:
I once went to lunch with a girlfriend at a place she insisted upon. She would not order until after I did, then she selected something less expensive. At the end of the meal she pulled out the coupon book, showed the coupon, and used it to get HER meal only for free. Since I have always been one to share the savings on a coupon, I was speechless. That, to my mind, was beyond rude. Needless to say, I did not get caught that way with her again.