Do old dating traditions still apply?

Former_MSE_Lawrence

Poll started 16 January 2007. Do old dating traditions still apply? If a woman and man go out for dinner on a first date, who should pay?

A. The man (I'm female)
B. The man (I'm male)
C. The woman (I'm female)
D. The woman (I'm male)
E. The woman should offer but the man still pay (I'm female)
F. The woman should offer but the man still pay (I'm male)
G. The man should offer but the woman still pay (I'm female)
H. The man should offer but the woman still pay (I'm male)
I. Half each (I'm female)
J. Half each (I'm male)
K. Each pays for what they had (I'm female)
L. Each pays for what they had (I'm male)
M. The higher earner (I'm female)
N. The higher earner (I'm male)
O. Whoever asked who out (I'm female)
P. Whoever asked who out (I'm male)

Vote here or click reply to discuss

beardschool

Men earn more than women on average so I'm sure they can put their hands in their pockets to pay for the odd beer.

Elzo

I suppose there's no hard and fast rule nowadays but I know that if I went on a first date, I would be slightly miffed if the man didn't insist on paying! Things like dinner and the cinema, I think the man should pay, situations where we females like to be treated like a lady!
I'd pay for other things though.

carolt

Disagree entirely. I'd feel it was unnecessary and patronizing if the man paid - if I went out with a female friend I wouldn't expect them to pay, would I? If I accepted and had a nice time, why on earth should he pay, just because he's male? Only exception is if he absolutely loaded ie millionaire plus, and insisted on taking me somewhere I couldn't possibly afford, as his 'treat'. But that would be more in an established relationship, not on a first date - I'd probably feel he was trying to buy my affection or showing off about his wealth if he did that. I think relationships should be equal - obviously in a long-term relationship, it may well be the one with money who pays, but at the beginning, surely, it should be equal?

Elzo

I don't see it for the monetary side as such, more the gesture. Like holding open doors, letting the female order from the menu first, things like that, I see the man paying under this category, if this makes sense.

vixarooni

my boyfriend and i shared the cost of our first date. Now that wee together i always make him pay ha.

he does open my car door for me and shuts it when im in most of the time. I like that sorta thing

Saucepot

I'm happy to pay for a date. Of course I expect a bit of hows your father. Fairs fair.

Kelinik

Saucepot wrote:

I'm happy to pay for a date. Of course I expect a bit of hows your father. Fairs fair.

That'd be my concern exactly if the man offered to pay lol. :rolleyes: If I were single I'd want to split the cost methinks.

esthomizzy

I voted whoever asked who out. If that was the bloke then he should pay especially on a first date. After you've been going out a while you can share or take it in turns. If my date suggested I pay half at that stage it'd prove what a miser he is and would be a useful warning to avoid a second date.

Other warning signals of scrooges are people who insist on adding up what they ate in a group meal outing and those who will never buy rounds. If they are also happy to freeload off other peoples rounds then double whammy.

beardschool

Bearing in mind some of the people I've been out with lately, they should feel themselves lucky to be paying for anything and not being left on their own while I jump out of the toilet window.

crimsonsatanna

It's a bit different for me as I'm a gay man, but I would be (had have been) very offended by someone trying to pay my half of a restaurant bill.

I went to a restaurant with someone who doesn't work as they have a lot of money without working. He offered to pay the full bill and I told him that I can pay my own way. He wouldn't take no for an answer and I wouldn't give in so I ended up placing money on the table and leaving.

I don't mind someone paying if I've known them a while and they know I may be short of money at that time (and vice versa), but I find it belittling if someone thinks I can't pay my own way.