Who should pay on the first date?

He could make her a nice candle-lit, home-cooked meal and rent a video - save yourself some money and be extremely romantic at the same time!

I think that it's good to keep healthy boundaries in a relationship - including paying for one's own meals because that way no one is put under obligation to pay, and there are no strings attached by someone paying. Everyone retains their freedom this way!

Well, first date I'm not too sure about but my girlfriend and I split all our bills. Not 50-50 but whoever can pay. usually or bill is in the region of R200 and ill try and pay about 150 and she 50. But if I don't have that money now she pays more and I make up next time. Its a 2 way thing. With times changing things get expensive and you can't always demand the guy pay for everything. We not all millionaires, and somewhere the money is going to finish

I think whoever asked should pay, that seems to be the general consensus. This however basically states that the guy will be paying as in today's culture it is seen as taboo for a girl to ask a guy out on a date or to "hang out" as seems to be the trend of people today. I've never in my life been asked out on a first date by a girl and I can count on one hand the number of times it has happened to a friend or even a friend of a friend of any age group.

Since the guy should be trying to earn the privilege of the lady's company, he should pay. It is an investment that should, if backed with integrity, result in winning, not demanding, her heart. Since the lady is trying to earn the privilege of the guy's company, she should be willing to let him win her heart, without being blind, or losing her integrity. If either acts like the other's company is anything but a privilege and blessing, the date should not last to the movies and the meal should be split, so no leverage is left.

LOL. Depends on who asked who out IMHO.

If I asked a girl out. And plan the date/ I am going to pay.

Otherwise dutch LOL.

I voted that the guy should pay for everything, but in my opinion, if the female wants to put in somehow, which feel she should at least try, I say that's all to the good.
I think from her point of view its selfish to let someone do all that on the first date. Especially when there is a chance that there will not be a second date.


Sincerely,
A Loving Black Man

Its an outdated chivalry that should have died. Personally most of the girls I've dated expect the guy to pay on every date because that's the way the girls parents raised them. And I'm sick of using the money I worked hard for and wind up with nothing to show for it.

Who ever is the person doing the asking. Should be the one that pays

The guy is always the one paying even if he doesn't have a job, ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, is wearing passed down clothes. Was dropped off at the movie theater by his parents, has a coupon for the movie and brought his own snacks to eat during the movie.

It sucks but That's what guys do I have done and have been doing it but it doesn't make a difference If you don't hit it off you just wasted your money. That's what sucks!

I voted for the Guy Paying and in most Cases I feel that is the Right way to go here. I do have one thing for everyone to think about-

I feel that whoever is the one, guy or girl, that did the asking for the date, is the one that should pay for the date. I agree that 9 times out of 10, it is most likely the guy that is asking the girl out, but if she ask, then she should be willing to pay or at least go dutch on the date.

Honestly I think on the first date you should pay your own sh! T. I mean I'm not going to pay for you to get a free meal and not get a phone call back or another date. Usually when I go out I wait to see what the girls going to say when it comes to the bill. If she say separate than she cool, But if she say together the that a warning sign to me she may be a gold digger. I not say all women or like that. But I've f@cked over to much in the pass and have learn from my mistakes.

Chivalry is in, Guy pays for both.

An aside though, if the girl asks to pay, the guy should allow her, though it goes against standard norms, it is better to let her pay than be so stubborn than to do it yourself.

No guy should ever let the girl think that she HAS to pay, but if she WANTS to pay, then he lets her.

Honestly I believe that on the first date the guy should pay. but it really does depend.

Good guy will pay for everything, but if you're dating a good girl she usually want to pay their own. Depends on the people.

its all about who asked who to dinner or on the date... that's who pays... only on the first date... the other dates take turns paying

Whoever did the inviting should pay.

The guy pays for the movie and the meal period

Ha I would probably make the guy pay and then I would offer and he would most likely say noso then I would leave him some cash in his vehicle or something. So either way I'd help pay :)

In my opinion, the guy should always man up and pay whether there's going to be a second date or not. If he doesn't then he's a lame ass with no balls

It depends on who asked who on the date, or whoever feels comfortable paying.

The one who did the asking out should be ready to pay/offer to pay. The other person should object and they should split bills.

My general philosophy:
I think unless it is a special occasion/celebration or unless they have gotten into the habit of taking turns paying for each other, the invited person should never just accept having everything paid for for them.
I think paying might reflect well on the personality paying individual, but not ever paying, and worse, never offering to, says pretty bad things about the paid-for individual. Yikes.
I also don't understand how it can make sense to believe in equal pay and to believe that guys should still pay every single time.

Guys pay on the first date. Its just rude if you don't! Even if the girls ask the guys out, more likely she didn't exactly bring a checkbook for dinner and a movie. All the cash she has is probably 10bucks and that's for snacks at the movie. Guys pay because if they do get along then they can make an exception and start a little play argument about how he paid first and now its her turn. She'll end up paying if you let her, but it really is wrong for her to pay, even if she insists. Don't let her. I'm the kind of girl that doesn't like guys paying for me. I don't like it when they spend too much of their money on me. But if she really likes you, she'll act all mad about it then forgive you as soon as possible. Just have the guy pay on the first date. As simple as that.

Guys pay for meal and snacks at movies but movie ticket gets split

I think its awesome when guys pay... but personally I'd definitely offer my chance to pay as well... that's just me. In whole, it depends. If I was on a date with a guy and he insisted on paying then I would let him... but I'd make sure I put in my voice and offer to help... after that if he wants to take the cheque.. he can for sure!

This is a great question! Personally, I prefer to pay for myself but if the guy insists I don't have a problem with that either, I just don't go into it expecting him to foot the bill. I have dated guys who have made comments about how I could have offered to pay for their meal. I kinda thought that was rude. I would never ask someone to pay for me.
Thanks for bringing this topic up!

I Think It Really Depends On Who Asked Who Out.
Now If I Asked A Guy Out...I Would Want To Pay.
But If The Guy Asked Me Out, I Would Expect Him To Pay =]