Tag Archives: dating questions

Conclusion: Guys Should Pay For Dinner. Women Should Pretend to Offer to Pay.

I have to admit that before I received these questions via my contact form, I was contented.

Our First Date

first-date.jpg

Our first date was at an Italian restaurant on the 7th floor of Mariott. I don’t remember if Nic paid or I paid but since most of our first dates were in Kuala Lumpur, I won’t be surprised if I paid as I wouldn’t have expected Nic to have so much Ringgits. But then again, I won’t be surprised if Nic had insisted on paying since he was making his first impression. Either way, it didn’t seem very important otherwise I would have remembered exactly who paid.

Nic used to ride the six-hour midnight bus from Singapore to KL on Fridays and then ride the six-hour midnight bus from KL to Singapore on Sundays just to take me on a date. If that wasn’t stressful enough, add to it the fact that he’s the type who suffers from motion sickness.

With going through all that, I definitely didn’t need him to spoil me with dinners or gifts to impress that he’s sacrificial.

Progress in the Relationship

It was only about two years later when I’ve quit my full-time job to work as a full-time freelance writer that most of our dates shifted to Singapore. In Singapore, Nic will always offer to pay, I didn’t have problems accepting it. By then, it almost felt like our money = our money even though our accounts are still separate.

What Male Readers Think

From the comments I received on my post on who should pay for dinner, it looks like some guys don’t mind spoiling his girl.
Alien TYC wrote,

I been paying most of the more expensive meals with my ex-gf and I do it because I love her and this is one of the little ways I show that there is nothing more important then love between us.

Some guys do mind, but will insist on paying for the first few dates just to make a good impression.
Mark wrote,

First few dates prior to getting steady, the guy should pay. But if after a long while going steady, the girl should offer.

Some guys fear if they do so, they will be taken for granted,
Kenny wrote,

It depends really, but it won’t hurt to at least offer yeah?

And the girls?


Daphne thinks guys should be gentlemen and pay for dinner but then if a guy really does spoil her with dinner, she’ll feel terribly embarrassed. She wrote,

i tink that guys shd pay. but that said, i often chip in or offer to pay for my own meal.

Well Daphne, what are you waiting for? Looks like Alien TYC is single! :wink: As for what I think? Exactly as I’ve written in the post title.

Dating Question: Should the guy pay for dinner or should we split the bill?

Does it look like I’m a gold-digger because he’s always the one to pick up the tab?

I have to admit I’ve taken Nic’s generosity for granted before. One night after a Slinger’s game, Nic offered to buy dinner for all the bloggers. Every one thanked him profusely which made me realize I haven’t thanked Nic for the many dinners he’s bought me in years!

During the dinner, I looked him in the eyes and thanked him for the Kentucky Fried Chicken. It felt so awkward.

Yesterday, I receive an email from a stranger via my contact form,

XXX wrote: You seem to have the idea that the only way a man can express his interest in you is by buying you something or paying for something.

This is not true for me. I think Nic can express his interest by being genuinely interested in our conversations and by many other ways. Buying me something or paying for something is merely two of a number of ways.

XXX: Would you think it was just a friendly dinner if we make out afterwards?

Er… People don’t usually express their interest in me that way. :oops:

XXX: It sounds like you are not interested in going out with a man unless he pays? Does that sound right to you?

Not true again. I do go out with other guys whom I do not expect to pay for me. Those are casual dinners that do not constitute a date. If it was a date, I would have expected the guy who asked me out to pay in full for it. Isn’t that only gentlemanly?

I just realized our way of handling dinner bills does make it look like I’m a gold-digger and allows room for me to take Nic’s generosity for granted.

Here’s two questions I’m genuinely seeking answers for,

  1. Should I start offering to pay or split the bill when we go out on a date? What do you think?
  2. If you were going on a date with a girl, will you feel used if you’re expected to foot the bill? If you were going on a date with a guy, will you feel offended if he offers to pay for you?

I will appreciate your honest reply on this.