All this talk about who pays on first dates… Aiya, here’s a summarized guide to end this discourse once and for all.
Regardless of who invites who,
Scenario A: The guy offers to pay for both.
– If the girl doesn’t offer and insist to pay for herself, then you know you dodged a bullet.
– If the girl allows you to pay but doesn’t treat you on a second date, or worse still, knowing that she doesn’t want to see you again, she still allows you to pay, then you know you dodged a huge bullet.
– If the girl allows you to pay, thanks you, and tells you she would treat you on a second date and backs it up with actions, she’s a keeper, don’t let her go.
Scenario B: Both people pays for their own part.
– If the girl looks and shows signs of displeasure or disinterest right after this happens, you know she’s expecting you to pay from the start. Bullet dodged, don’t ask her out again.
– If not, and if the girl follows up with an activity to do or a place to check out, then it’s alright, nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either.
Scenario C: The girl offers to pay for both.
– If this happens, as a decent human being, offer to pay for yourself, and insist on it. If she insists to pay for you, make sure to pay for the second date. You got a keeper, don’t let her go.
– If you let her pay without offering, then bro what you doing, you can do better. Not surprising if she doesn’t want to see you again after.
Flip the genders around for all scenarios, it applies regardless. No double standards.
Best way to handle things? Each person pays for themselves on the date, with no expectations to have a free treat whatsoever. If you want to impress the girl/guy by paying for them, then go ahead, but risk potentially getting taken advantaged of for a free meal, and your precious time and energy especially if you ask them out again.
At the end of the day, if the girl/guy likes you for who you are, there wouldn’t even be an expectation for you to pay for their meal, regardless of how cheap or expensive the meal is, or whoever invited who.
Would you be happy going on dates with self-entitled girls who expect you to pay for them? There’re better girls out there! (or guy if you’re a girl and like guys)