Who Should Pick Up the Tab?

It seems almost irrelevant to be talking about money in an article about dating. After all, what does money have to do with love and romance? Money seems to be a non-issue to most of the world's major lovers and, traditionally, the most romantic of dates were free. It didn't cost either of the pair a dime to spout love's vows across a balcony in Romeo and Juliet's first (and only) date, not was there a parking fee to squabble over in the enchanted woods where Snow White met her prince.

However, in most modern chance encounters (in line at the DMV or down the bread aisle in the supermarket) most people are making dates not wedding arrangements, and so most of our courtships cost money.

These seem to be the major arguments from both sides:

"I'm the man, I should pay."

"If he pays, I owe him something at the end of the night."

"Why should I pay if she's making the same money as me and has all those civil rights?"

"I'm paying him back with my company."

Everyone has their own personal reasons why they either do or do not pay the check, and so it may seem as if this is strictly a matter of personal preference; however, it is important to think about what these things really mean as they can set the tone for that first date and the rest of the relationship.

Unfortunately, despite women's lib, not offering to pay can be more detrimental for a man than a woman. Assuming that she should pay or split her half, can make a man seem cheap in the short term (and can consequently ensure that a second date will not happen) and may even make a women feel like she's not worth the price of dinner, which if there are subsequent dates, may hurt the relationship in the long run. Women of today often want to know that they can afford the check, but still want the man to pay for them. It shows them that he cares.