You’ve taken your time to find a match and finally, you’ve found someone that you like. You might have similar values, political views, hobbies, or interests. Whatever it is that’s drawn you to them, online dating has done its job.
Sometimes, you have to think about the practicalities of dating. You don’t want to get too ahead of yourself. Before meeting up with them, you might decide to get involved with video dating. Video dating can be a great way to interact with someone beyond just words on a screen.
As you begin to talk, you’ll understand where you’re at with your match. And if you decide that you do like them, you might go on a first date.
So, you arrive at the restaurant, for example. You both have drinks and a full three-course meal. You’ve talked, you’ve laughed, but then the dreaded question comes – who is going to take the bill? Are we going to split it? And as you lock eye contact and try to decide between you, it can become a little awkward.
For some, money is a very sensitive topic, and it can become a little difficult to navigate around it.
The traditional view is men should always pay, especially for the first date. But this is flawed for several reasons.
Same-Sex Relationships
If you’re both women in a same-sex relationship, how do you know who pays? It fails to acknowledge other relationship styles at all.
Money is Power
This view used to be based on power. The man was the breadwinner and the woman was the homemaker and therefore didn’t earn her own money. The man would provide for them both and the woman would lack any independence. In some situations, money can be misused as a way of controlling someone, and this shouldn’t be the case.
In the twenty-first century, this depiction seems a little outdated. What was once seen as the gender norms are now irradicated by new ideals. Women work hard, earn their own money, and can have just as much financial power as men.
Who Should Pay?
So, who should actually pay for the date? Sometimes the man may feel like he must pay because there’s still some ambiguity around this question.
But honestly, it should be a decision that’s made between the two parties on the date.
If it’s a date between a man and a woman, for example, and the man says they’ll pay, it’s courteous to offer to split the bill. Even if they insist on paying for the date, it’s still a nice gesture and suggests that you don’t expect it from them.
When it comes to same-sex relationships, you might want to split it between you. It’s really a preference thing.
All in all, it should be what you both feel comfortable with because it makes it much easier going forward.