Going Dutch On The First Date – Do or Don’t?
Let’s examine whether splitting the bill during your date is more desirable or downright disastrous.
Being independent in every area of our lives means a lot to us ladies. Having our own source of disposable income allows us to sustain a rather comfortable lifestyle. We’ve come a long way from having to justify why we should be treated as equals to men in our society. But when it comes to courtship etiquette, would it be better to honour chivalry and allow the guy to foot the bill, or should the lady offer to split the bill on the first date? We’ll explore three scenarios to determine which option works better.
1. Both of you decide to go for supper after a movie date
The movie was absolutely fantastic; you and your date found the same scenes amusing and felt comfortable leaning into each other during the movie. Before heading home, you both make the decision of stopping by the hawker stalls for some midnight snacks and a little chat.
The verdict:
You both should definitely go dutch! Hawker food and beverages are so affordable, and expecting one person to pay for supper is rather cheapskate. You could either pay for drinks or food… or even choose to pick up the tab for different dishes. In this case, how can sharing food, conversation and cash ever be a bad thing?
2. The guy chooses to whisk his date off to a secret location
Instead of taking the usual dating route to candlelit dinners and the movies, you’ve decided to get creative and go the extra mile – planning a romantic evening for your lady; complete with a customized dinner menu, impressive music playlist and breathtaking location. You have put in so much thought into creating the perfect atmosphere to spend quality time together.
The verdict:
The guy should pick up the tab for this one. If you had planned this perfect first date ages ago, it only seems right to be financially prepared. However, it doesn’t mean that the lady should go all ‘gold-digger’ on you! She should always have a sufficient amount of cash with her. If the evening ends on a good note, you’ll be reasonably rewarded for your thoughtful gestures. But if the claws come out before nightfall, then at least your date can use her own money to get home safely.
3. The girl suddenly decides to drag her date to an adrenaline-rush activity
Sparks flew the moment your eyes met. Having a meal together didn’t seem like a drag because the two of you share similar interests and ideologies. Then, things started to get physical. Not in a sexual way… but on the spur of the moment, your date thinks it will be fun to go rock-climbing indoors to make the evening more memorable.
The verdict:
It will be better to pay separately for this one. Why? Although your date suggested the activity in the first place, it would seem rather ungentlemanly to allow her to foot the bill for both of you! Come on, you wouldn’t want to look cheap… especially not at an expensive sweat-inducing activity like rock-climbing, or other forms of extreme sports.
The bottom line is… REFRAIN from bringing up the topic of going dutch before the date. This will suck the fun out of your evening endeavours and create a rigid atmosphere. Guys, if you’re with a lady who insists on going dutch on the first date, just take her up on it. And in case she changes her mind, always make sure you have enough cash to pay for the date. Remember, you are both supposed to have a great time getting to know each other better, not how deep or shallow your pockets are!
All images from Stockexchange
