Yes, Men Should Pay For Dates. No, Women Shouldn’t Act Entitled To It
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[social_warfare]
Over the past 5 years of writing, I have consistently stood strong in my stance that I believe men should always pay for a date when he’s out with a woman. How many dates in a row, you may ask? Let’s call it 3 for the sake of discussion, but every circumstance is different.
I believe under no circumstances, though, should he agree to split the bill when it’s offered.
Here’s the problem, though:
With this conversation becoming more public thanks to social media, it has become a generally accepted rule, which means it’s just being expected by women who are being taken on dates.
Not only that – I see women publicly commenting on posts about the topic saying out loud that they would refuse a second date from a man who didn’t pay.
Here’s the problem: There’s not actually anything wrong with that (in my opinion) given my stance that men should pay. The problem arises when the conversation is put in such black and white terms.
Why? Because it’s literally creating an air of entitlement that men are publicly being exploited by women to pay for the dates, or face public ridicule and rejection. This does not make the date feel like a mutually desired outing – in fact, it starts to feel a little bit like an escort service.
That may sound drastic, but consider: Women are publicly beginning to express the requirement for men to literally pay money for their time. This means there will be no offer to split the bill at the end of the date, no genuine “thank you for dinner” expressed, perhaps no reciprocation in the form of a drink at the next bar. This is where things get rocky.
You see – men will do nearly anything if it means protecting or providing for a woman they care about. They have been doing it for literally centuries. Busting their asses to provide for their families, going off to war, letting women and children off of sinking ships first.
Of course we now live in a more equal society (Thankfully) where these responsibilities are split more evenly down the middle – but here’s the thing – just because society has changed, doesn’t mean the men have.
This means we still have the want and desire to protect and provide, but when it doesn’t feel appreciated, we are less likely to continue.
Consider this: Think of a date as a present. Any man worth his salt should be planning the date, picking you up, paying for it, acting like a chivalrous gentleman, and returning you home safely. This requires physical effort and expenditure of hard-earned dollars he could be spending on anything he wanted.
But, he chose to spend his time and his money on you.
If you give someone a present, and they don’t thank you, how does it make you feel?
This is the public landscape being put forth in terms of dating – and I’m afraid that I may have contributed to it.
I may have contributed by pushing forth the conversation about men paying for dates. I speak and write about it frequently, and I do wholeheartedly believe it. But, I believe it because I think it’s a way for men to show we value the woman we are spending time with. It’s something we do for her out of respect, even if it’s just a first date and we don’t know her that well.
The problem has arisen by taking the concept too far and putting it in the context of absolutes. I have been in relationships where I literally paid for everything all the time – but I didn’t mind because it was reciprocated and appreciated in other ways over the course of the relationship.
When someone gives out of respect, but is never made to feel appreciated, no matter how kindhearted they are, the actions will always wane and stop.
So – gentlemen – I urge you to continue being gentlemen and doing what feels right to you. If your actions aren’t appreciated, simply be thankful that you learned this about a person early in a relationship and you have the freedom to move on.
Ladies – understand that a man taking you on a date is a privilege, not a right. You are not entitled to his time or money any more than he is to yours. At least fake the reach for your purse (we all know it’s fake – but it’s the effort that counts, believe me). And, if he takes your offer, simply be thankful that you learned this about a person early in a relationship and you have the freedom to move on.
Believe me, a genuine “Thank you so much” is literally all it takes for a man to feel his efforts have been worthwhile.
And, it doesn’t cost you anything.
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This, right here! “I have been in relationships where I literally paid for everything all the time – but I didn’t mind because it was reciprocated and appreciated in other ways over the course of the relationship”.
How is it reciprocated though? Seems like everyone would choose having everything paid for them instead of whatever reciprocated actions. Just seems like women are expected to receive more than they give.
Sex.
It’s unfortunate that there are women out there feeling entitled. I don’t expect a man I’m dating to pay for everything but I am grateful and appreciate it when he does. I know he doesn’t have to and that when he does he comes from a good place of giving. Crazy how the world is becoming. Nobody should feel entitled to anything. Nothing is yours just because of your gender. Gratefulness goes a long way with anyone, men and women alike.
This topic is getting so tedious.
Play by the rules. They’ve been there for years.
Let’s place this discussion in a Gay setting. Who pays when two men or two women date? My sentiments is “You ask for the company, you pay” If you can’t afford it, don’t ask.
If you invite someone to go out with you, you are the host. You wanted their company so, why are you even expecting that they contribute? Do you ask people over for dinner and expect them to contribute payment for what they are about to eat?
And I challenge anyone to tell me that 99.5% of dating partners feel they are entitled to not pay or don’t express gratitude or say thank you… and in the odd occasion when it does occur there may well be other reasons why they didn’t feel appreciative and you should be asking yourself what that reason may have been.
This is when I use my own aphorism. “If they say thank you, be grateful. If they don’t be graceful”
The old “that’s the way things have always been” isn’t a good enough excuse. Just because that’s how things are doesn’t make it right. If one of my friends says to me, “Hey do you want to go to this bar/movie/etc?” I either say yes or no. If I say yes I wouldn’t assume they were paying for me. If anything I’d be more justified in expecting my friend to pay since at least I know them. Why should a guy be on the hook paying for two people’s bill if the date doesn’t go well?
You say, “If you can’t afford it, don’t ask”. I say, “If you can’t afford it, don’t agree”.
“If you invite someone to go out with you, you are the host. You wanted their company so” I think you missed the point right here. You are not forcing or renting someone for their company, its a consensual meeting where both people are expecting to enjoy their time. Why is that being invited make the person being entited to free stuffs ? A date (especially the one leading to a relationship) is an investment for the future of two people (not one) therefore both should make the effort.
Unless shes not a western it’s not worth the 50 bucks. I say stay home, invest the money, learn a new language and find a women whom respects you over seas.
Women are publicly beginning to express the requirement for men to literally pay money for their time.
James, do they charge by the half hour or by the hour?
I’ve had women get a hold of me and literally say “buy me something to eat and I’ll come over” even more bizarre when I made no indication I was planning to take then out. Needless to say that “date” never happened nothing disgusts me more than entitlement and man did she project that. Even more sad that’s not a one time occurrence and I know plenty of women who literally go on dating sites just to get free meals from men, and proudly admit to doing so. I’ve just about all but given up dating women anymore. As you said it feels more like a service than a activity.
I have heard of this happening and it may have happened to me I’m sure. People who use r take advantage of others are pathetic.
Lmfao, this isn’t a mutual love relationship, it’s just a trade market of favors/egoist interests, not genuine demonstration of affection
If you think men should always pay and should never agree to split the bill even when asked then of course women are going to feel entitled to having men pay for their time and attention. You can’t have it both ways.
I call BS on it. Here’s why. Say you want to get together with your friends(whether they are male or female)and you decide to invite them to get together for dinner etc. You won’t be paying for them just because you invited them right? Of course not! That’s because you are all equals. As soon as romance enters the equation people act like it’s 1955. Unless a man feels that the woman is more important than him or has higher value than him why would he pay for her? And, no tradition is not a good reason. Call me crazy but if women want to be treated as equals(as they should)then they need to understand that they can’t the man is not obligated to pay for her when out on dates. Why would a modern woman who earns who own money need(or even want) a man to pay for her?
I date often and it happens with 8 out of 10 of them no matter what job they have. They want to be equal until the bill comes. Its called entitlement. The women that tend to at least offer have some form of feelings. I disagree with this old fashion crap that men should have to pay. Its nonsense. Things are not like the 50s but folk want to pick and choose what they want to hold on to.
Wahmen are stronk and independent and don’t need no man. They get exclusive scholarships, classes, jobs, lease agreements and much more. They have everything handed to them on a silver platter without any merit or adversity while still crying oppression and living as a victim caste, I think they can pay for their own damn food.
If I ask a stranger I’m not having sex with to meet me, I pay for the amenities.
It is the asker who pays. Now, the trick is to get men to stop asking. LoL
Why…women want sex they say. Let them prove it