The question of who pays the bill on a date has been a long debated one. Even with clear rules, these don’t always cover every situation. Here is a primer if you are confused.
Should the Man Pay?
20 years ago this was the norm, but in today’s society the rules have changed. In most cases a gentleman will pay for the first date. Most dating experts will tell you that even if the woman offers to pay, the man should foot the bill. To avoid complicating this, if she wants to help, allow her to pick up the tip or the extras. In fact, during the first few months most experts will say the man should pay.
Who Asked Who?
After the first date the rules change a bit. If she initiates the date, then it should be expected of her to pay as well. However, it’s wise that both parties have the money to cover their end of the date just to be on the safe side.
Going Dutch
While it was unheard of years ago for a date to be dutch, it’s becoming more and more popular today. This allows both people to feel comfortable, and can participate in bigger and better dates. Going dutch is something that shouldn’t be done in the first few dates, but rather for larger dates several months in.
How to Approach the Subject
If you’re the man, assume you are paying for the date. As a woman, have enough money to cover the date. If the date sounds very expensive, the woman can offer to pay her half. As the man, you should just avoid planning dates that you don’t think you can afford to cover.