Dating: If You Ask, Do You Pay?
The question that still lingers over people’s heads when it comes to dating is who pays? You sit down for a nice dinner and the bill comes. The waitress would normally hand it directly to the man but now, times have changed. They calmly slide the check to the middle of the table and let the couple decide for themselves. But who pays?
For most, the man is seen as the one responsible to foot the bill. But should he?
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I ask this because the more I run across different men and women, the different the answers become. A first date is normally where the man takes the lead but what happens when it’s the second, third, or fourth date? I asked a few ladies and gentlemen about this situation and was hit with different answers.
According to Forbes, a man should take the lead on the first date.
In a survey on love and finances conducted by Money and SurveyMonkey, a whopping 78% of respondents said they think men should pay for the first date. And, perhaps surprisingly, men (85%) were even more likely than women (72%) to think that men should foot the bill. Even after the first date, men tend to pick up the majority of expenses and report feeling guilty taking money from women.
Here is a quick scenario: A male and a female are on the phone. The man asked if she would like to go out for a bite to eat. She replies yes. They get to the restaurant, eat, and then the bill comes. It’s placed in the middle of the table. Who should reach for the bill, her or him?
My response is him because he was the one who asked. However, it does work both ways. If the female should ask the male if he’s hungry or wants to see a movie, then it’s on her to foot the bill. It’s about communication and if not done correctly it can lead to bigger issues down the line in a relationship.
Next: Relationships: Are You A Giver Or A Taker?
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
