> I suggested common sense! Common sense is far from infallible and in the face of an apparent in-good-faith suggestion I'm willing to question my common sense

> I suggested common sense! Common sense is far from infallible and in the face of an apparent in-good-faith suggestion I'm willing to question my common sense rather than follow it blindly. Note that this isn't the same as ignoring it, I'm just willing to admit that I might be wrong to start with. > Until I start seeing 2 for 1 mortgages, 1/2 off gasoline, BOGO surgeries, and 25% off tuition in coupon books? If I were really offered coupons as a solution to CoL, I would look into if such things existed. Sometimes what exists if you care to look for it can surprise you. > So you would really response neutrally to your employer handing out coupon books instead of annual raises? Realistically I would react as follows: A) Immediate surprise and perhaps some incredulity depending on how the suggestion was delivered, but still thank them for the suggestion and let them know I would consider it. B) Knowing basically nothing about using coupon books in this context, I'd take a few tens of minutes to look into how viable such a solution would be. C) Conclude that while potentially useful in isolation, the overhead involved in implementing the suggestion wipes out the usefulness. D) Return to my employer and inform them that their suggestion is not a viable solution and that I wish to continue salary negotiations in good faith. This whole process would take less than a day.