Stories

Thu, 18 Jun 2026

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 'He hid the a la carte menu': Who should pay on the first date

Some insist on splitting the bill, others say the asker should pay, while many still see a man paying as romantic.
Jennifer Read-Dominguez, a digital editor, says she'd be happy for a man to take her out for a first date, as long as it's within his means. She believes it's the thought that counts, not the amount spent. Yasmin El-Saie, a content creator from London, agrees with Jennifer and says she finds it attractive when a man pays on a first date. However, she also thinks men should be willing to split the bill if the date continues elsewhere. Jamie Rutter, 32, who works in finance, suggests that clear communication is more important than sticking to a rigid rule. He prefers to pay for his half of the bill and is upfront about what he can afford. Research shows that many people find cost a significant barrier to going on dates, with over half of Gen Z adults feeling this way. Some respondents shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with date expenses, highlighting the importance of clear communication and respect for each other's financial situations.