The scenario: The boy initiated
the date. The rule: The check comes. She reaches for her purse. He says he'll
pay. She resists. He insists. Do not deviate from this pattern. There are signals
flying all over the place here, but they're usually totally unique to the individual
so you're not going to be able to figure them out on the first date. Lots of women
will let the guy pay if she's interested and will try harder to contribute money
if they're not. The scenario: the girl initiated the date. The rule: The check
comes. She reaches for her purse. He says he'll pay. She resists. He insists.
Just do it ok, boys? It's nicer that way. Even if you're not interested in dating
her. It's gentlemanly and makes you look good. She's been stressed all night because
she asked you out and maybe that was too forward and maybe she should have just
waited and on and on. Then you pay for dinner. And it makes everything ok. It
makes you an active participant in the date and it means that you didn't hate
being there all night. At the very least, split the check.
Note this has
nothing to do with subsequent dates. Pay attention and figure that part out on
your own. Some women think they should always be paid for. Personally, I'm a believer
in not making a big deal about it, but keeping an eye out to make sure that things
end up pretty evenly in the end. He pays for dinner; I pay for the movies. That
kind of thing.