Do Men Still Pay When the Dinner Bill Arrives?

In our era of strong, independent women, who pays for dinner on a 21st-century first-date?

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Have you ever puzzled over who should pay for dinner on a first date?

Back when I was living mostly in the land of 50/50 love, what author David Deida called Stage 2 Intimacy, I wanted my romantic dates to at least pretend they were willing to foot half the dinner bill.

Especially on a first date.

This would clue me in to a woman’s independence.

I needed to see a woman reach for her purse as I went for the bill, acting like she had every intention to contribute.

Even if her reaching was awkward and hesitant, as if feigning the act, I still appreciated it. It was her way of saying, “Bryan, I don’t expect you to take care of me. I can take care of myself.”

Oh, it just made me swoon!

I don’t have to take care of this woman? Be still, my 2nd Stage heart!

I may have let a woman or two (or more) pay on the first date. Perhaps if she had asked me out first, or if she insisted twice. If there was a second date, I silently hoped she’d grab the bill and say, “I got it!”