Proper etiquette regarding using restaurant gift certificates in groups?

No, it is not bad manners. No, they would not share the certificate with another. They earned that one way or the other. It is money, just in another form. A boss or job could have given it to them, or as a present from a child who is saying thanks for being my parent. It could be from a friend with whom they have done so much for. No one gets a free gift certificate, there's always a reason for it. Someone always paid for it. If the person had given it to them on a pre-paid credit card or in cash, would you still feel it should be used to pay for most of the meal?

It isn't even in bad taste. They had a certificate that someone spend their hard earned money on to buy for them. They felt they should make use of it.

I'd never assume that a check would be paid for by anyone who asked us as a couple to go somewhere. If they meant they'd pick up the tab, it would have been worded in such a way. Hey, we'd like to take you out to dinner. We are going out to eat, would you like to come. means you pay for your meals.

You can pay in any fashion you'd like as well. No bad manners in paying your part of the check, nor is it in bad taste.

Gift Card Etiquette

I don't think it was in bad taste. The gift certificate was given to them, not you. You each paid your own share.

I think that the couple should have disclosed to you in advance that they wanted to go to this place in part because they had a gift certificate for it. After all, maybe none of you really like the food there. Maybe if you had known that you would have declined the invitation and put it off to a later time in favor of a place you really do like. IE: I prefer Dun-kin Donuts coffee to starbucks. But if I get a starbucks gift card I am going to use it.

But even if you knew in advance that the couple had a gift certificate, I see no reason why you should have expected them to pay for your meal.

I'm not sure there is an actual gift certificate etiquette per se, but I don't think they did anything wrong. It's not as though they won a free dinner and didn't split the bill with you. They were responsible for their check and you yours... they paid for it with a gift certificate that was give to them as a gift, not the group of you as a gift. I mean, if they had paid with money or a visa checkcard that was a gift to them, would you feel the same way? Probably not.

Absolutely not.

They are entitled to pay in whatever way the restaurant is willing to accept. You're essentially saying you expected them to pay half the meal for everyone...just because they had the gift certificate.

Miss Manners would object to that, as would Emily Post.

Truly bad taste would have been making an issue of it.

Perhaps they should have been more clear that they were not treating?

I don't think it was in bad taste. The checks were split so they paid how they wanted to. Now if they insinuated that they were going to pay (by the invitation) and then when you arrived they asked for separate checks I might be upset about that. If the invitation was just to go to dinner with then where they are going then you have the option to say no.

You don't have the right to decide how other people spend their funds.

I have never heard of splitting a gift certificate with an entire table. It sounds like they handled it properly. It is just another form of cash.

You said:

"my husband and I were ASKED OUT to go out to dinner with one of his co-workers and his wife. They CHOSE the restaurant."

You are 100% correct. They asked YOU, and they CHOSE the place.

The pay the WHOLE BILL 100% regardless of method of payment.

Did I hit the nail on the head, and was this what you were asking.

Yes, anyone who asks me out usually would pay for the dinner.

Usually, if they are gracious they will ask me where I would like to go and eat.

It is quite all right they used this form of payment, HOWEVER, since they asked you out they should have footed the entire bill including yours which was rude of them.

I would NEVER dine with these people again.

It was there gift certificate and they dont have to share it with you if they dont want. I do however think it was kind of poor etiquette that they choose the resturant that they had a gift card for.