Girls when you go on a first dinner date, are you comfortable ordering anything on the menu?

[Longshot]

Do you wait to see what the guy orders first? Are you concerned about what it costs if the guy is paying?

[springdragonfly]

firstly, I always offer and try to split the bill.

however, I do realize that there is the risk that he will freak out about this, and insist on paying.

therefore, I am price conscious, but I think I would generally only curtail myself if I noticed I was eyeing an item on the menu that was notably more than other items (ex. a lobster special, Kobe steak, etc). I think any items that are within a similar range as the majority of the menu are fair game. Also, I also have a tendency to not order an appetizer or dessert unless it is to be shared (I don't enjoy feeling like I am going to explode because I've eaten so much). So on this as well as beverage choice, I think I would try to follow his lead. Not like I would drink alcohol alone, or get a fancy drink unless the other person is indulging as well. I would assume if it is his invite and his restaurant choice he knows what the price range is and is probably willing to pay. Ideally, I would pay for myself (or at least offer to) and I cannot imagine a scenario where anyone would invite me anywhere out of my price range.

I also generally tend to assume that if we aren't going dutch, I am paying the next time round, and as with all people I know, I try to ensure that things stay roughly balanced.

If you are asking a woman out, I would recommend you do not take her somewhere you are not comfortable picking up the bill. You never know if she will offer. You never know whether or not she will choose something pricey, though very few women are bold and greedy enough to go for that most expensive item. You do not want to be stressed about this or make little awkward hints.

I would say you will come off as more fun and more natural at a place you are comfortable with. Don't give her the impression you dine at 5 star restos all the time if you don't. generous, relaxed and sincere will make for a much better date than pretentious, fake and nervous.

[Longshot]

I can afford the dinner, but as a rule of thumb when someone is treating me, I do not order expensive dinners. I usually stay in the middle and I might go to the high end of middle, but I never order anything out of the top 3 highest priced items. I am just interested in what girls think because very often the guy is paying the first time.

[springdragonfly]

I think what I said about myself is that I do not assume I am being treated. Also that if I do get treated, I am doing the treating the next time. Though, from the responses, I do gather that that might not always be the response on the female side. Bet they are the girls who don't bring their wallets to the bar and say yes to free drinks from strangers. Yikes. that must really suck for you boys.

[RedSmartie]

I'd prefer it he orders first so I can pick a less expensive item than he picked, but as a waitress I realize that the women are always going to get asked first. For some reason it seems like good manners and it translates to more tips. So I've accepted that I'll always get asked first and I choose something that I think I'd like that's not too expensive. If something looks really good but is pricey I'll offer to pay for myself even before the server comes to take our order. I totally don't mind paying but it's more impressive if he says that it's not necessary.

I used to be really self-conscious about what I ordered because I didn't want to look like a pig by ordering a big plate. I used to be one of those girls who would order a salad and a diet soda (I still order diet soda, I genuinely prefer the taste) but now I get what I want. If a guy is turned off by the idea that I like to eat, he's not the right guy for me.

[RedSmartie]

Though honestly, the most appealing things to me are often appetizers which are generally one of the cheaper things.

[WhiteSteve]

Are there really guys that are expecting girls to pay? WOW. Its nice to hear that you girls are considerate about it, but if I ask you out on a date I'm not setting price limits, hahahaha. Chivalry really is dead...

[Prettygurl12]

Well, I paid for my first date (because I asked) but I'm usually concerned whenever we go out now. Even when we go out with his whole family (father, mother, 2 sisters, 2 brother-in-laws) and his father - a lawyer - is footing the bill, I always end up ordering the cheapest thing on the menu.

When we go out just the two of us and if what I want is a tad pricey I always offer to go dutch or split the bill with him. He always says no, but I always have my wallet and money on hand just in case.

The one time we went somewhere really nice, I footed the entire bill. That evening cost me $350. But it was my Christmas gift to him so I wasn't planning on him paying a dime anyway.

[Longshot]

$350 for dinner. I do want to hear about it! And thanks for your answer.

[Prettygurl12]

Well it was the whole evening. The dinner itself was about 200. Then you factor in the $60 present I gave him, the $70 dollar carriage ride (more for my benefit lol), and the $20 in gas/parking...yeah. We went to an upscale Italian place and I let him order whatever. We had muscles for an appetizer, he had seared ahi tuna, I had some chicken thing, and then we had a musician play for us, and had desert. The bill was quite scary lol but I'd been budgeting for it all year so I was good.

[kheserthorpe]

You're being thoughtful, but you can order a little higher ;)

You can usually order a mid priced item if its a restaurant the host knew in advance. They wouldn't take you somewhere out of their range.

You will also notice that some hosts will give specific queues saying 'go ahead and order the more expensive items'. My father will tend to say things like 'do you feel like the steak' or 'the lamb looks good, what do you think' which is how he's telling people that they should feel free.

[kheserthorpe]

That should be cues not queues. Damn homonyms.

[musicbrain5]

It's been awhile since I've been on a first date, but I would order something that is reasonably priced, like in the middle somewhere. Things like pasta and chicken are like this. I'll avoid super messy things like spaghetti or smelly things like curry and garlic. And I'm certainly not one of those girls who will just order a salad or soup and water so I don't give the guy the impression that I actually eat real food, lol. I'm not afraid to eat in front of a guy!

On a first date though, I would feel really uncomfortable ordering something expensive. I wouldn't want to give the guy the impression that I have super expensive taste or that I am a gold digger. I wouldn't order something that I couldn't afford if I had to pay for it.

Now I just order whatever I want in whatever price range, lol.

[Tallblondie]

I order whatever I want. I always keep cash on me during a date just incase I am on a date with a guy who wants to split the bill. If I want to order a steak for $26 I am going to get it. If the guy is not cool with it, I pay my way, then I cut him off haha.

[Longshot]

Does that mean if a guy cannot afford your tastes, you'll drop him?

[Tallblondie]

Yes, because if a man cannot pay for my meal on the first date it is just showing me that he cannot provide for the future.

[rudy37lee]

Or maybe he is still sizing you up on the first date too, and isn't going to spend a whole lot of money on someone who may not be worth it. Just because he doesn't want to spend a lot on a date, doesn't mean he can't provide, that's not a very good method you have there.

[mrbluesky]

You're worth the $26.00 babs. But I hope you don't expect him to pay that much every single time you hang out.

[Tallblondie]

If y'all think $26 is expensive wow haha. Thank you Mr.bluesky and no I do not order a steak every time but usually meals are around minimum $14 where I live so I guess this question does depend on the context too!

[alexandraisss]

Mmmm... I will order something easy to eat, I mean I won't order spaghetti or chicken wings because I don't want to ruin my lipstick or get my hands messed up. So I will choose something you can eat in a clean way like a salad or something like that. And even if he is paying don't choose the cheapest thing, something in between. That's why I always order a salad: not so cheap or expensive, easy to eat, and make you look healthy and I guess kinda more feminine if that makes sense

[sadie-lynn]

i'm a vegetarian so that limits my options, both on the menu and on restaurants in general. so I really don't care about my food outseide of enjoying it. I once ordered a baked potato, and proceeded to massacre it. we didn't have a second date, but because we found we really had nothing in common.

[confugirl]

I assume we'll both pay for our own part, but I try to keep it in the middle. Not too cheap and not too expensive. Even though I plan on paying myself, it seems kinda rude to flash all that money in his face. "Ooh, look how much I can spend". I like to keep it light and simple.

[sweetone]

I bet you will change your outlook as you get older.. although I believe that depends on if you enter your late 20's early 30's as a single woman in the dating scene

[confugirl]

What do you mean by "change your outlook"?

[SkyOvaNewOrleans]

Order what you want and he should allow you to order first. I don't believe in ordering the most expensive thing on the menu but depending on your age and finances of the guy a $20 meal should be find. Don't order anything messy, or pubgebt with garlic only because you don't want to eat like an animal or have bad breathe the rest of the date. Lol.

[Anonymous]

I would have funds on me to pay my own way and I would still take his lead as to how expensive of a meal to order, in case he offers to pay. (If he asked me out, I'm assuming he'll pay. If I asked him out, I'm assuming we'll split the bill, but it's good to be prepared either way.)

I think you should eat whatever you want but I'd feel like a major jerk and it'd be awkward if I ordered lobster and then he just ordered a salad or something.

[Ashtonissuperhot123]

For me it actually has to do with the guy I'm with. If I feel like I can be myself around him I'll order a big fat burger and fries loll. If it's a guy I barely know that I want to make a good impression on I'll probably eat like a bird.. And get like a salad and water. I'm sort of a messy eater!

[sweetone]

I'm never concerned with price unless I have heard him mention money before... Luckily though, I don't usually like the most expensive meals.. like Steak or Lobster lol

[Longshot]

Do you think it's fair to your date that you are never concerned with price?

[BrunetteNYC]

While I AM considerate, honestly, even a steak at most places doesn't cost THAT much. If a guy is so hard up that he can't afford a dinner date, maybe he should arrange dates he can afford doing things that are cheap.

[sweetone]

When I was younger and dating men in my age range then I was more concerned. I felt that we both worked low paying jobs and well.. I mean we were kids. But now no, I'm not concerned. If the guy I was dating didn't make much money then yes of course I'd feel differently. I'm a considerate person. Then again, I don't think I would date a man that wasn't financially secure.

[jstfaxlumbrjax]

I try to stay somewhere in the middle. Luckily most of the higher priced items are not something I would want to eat anyway. If it was something I really wanted and it was pricey I would make sure to get the tab the next time.

[lumos]

I tend to avoid stuff that's messy (tacos, spaghetti, soup...). I often eat whatever I think sounds the best, depending on the price as well of course.

[Longshot]

Would you order the most expensive item?

[lumos]

Depends on how expensive it is. But probably not. I'm kinda broke at the moment.

[sanityandsunflowers]

I definitely feel comfortable ordering food but it's a hard decision. A good date food has to be something that's not messy and easy to eat. If the guy is paying I normally get something on the cheaper side, unless he's an asshole. Then I get steak(:

[Izzy2102]

pretty much, if all of them are reasonable prices. But I avoid potentially messy foods

[Longshot]

Would you order the most expensive item?

[Izzy2102]

I order whatever I would be willing to pay, because I would expect to pay my share

[Hyped_up_on_coffee]

I order what ever I want . I just get something with like a moderate price but I read menu descriptions first

[aamy811]

No, I always pay for my meal. But I always order salad but that's because I'm a vegetarian and not many places have things other than salads

[Anonymous]

I bring my own money in case he chooses to go dutch or if he feels what I've ordered was too expensive. I don't go to expensive restaurants though so the items on the menu are usually reasonably priced.

[Jade4]

I pick something in the middle range unless there's something cheaper I'd like. I think it's rude to order the most expensive thing on the menu

[emzy-89]

I always order something I know I will like; if I know the guy is paying, then I will hae a glance at the prices and not over-do it.

[BrunetteNYC]

Of course, I'd never order something overly expensive. I feel like it'd be rude.

[social_lib]

Lol I order what I want. First choice would be veggie burger. If they don't have those, I'll order the vegetarian option that looks most appealing to me.

[DivaPrincess]

I order what I would normally order when by myself.

[chocolateismylover]

I see what he orders first but I'm cortable eating first. I don't really care about the cost that much because I'd be prepared to pay for myself.

[LouLou14]

I normally go for chicken or pasta. Not expensive but very tasty. I'm not the salad ordering type. Even though I love salad.

[Anonymous]

I am! It's not nice to take the moooost expensive thing on there. Even if he does. I just wouldn't. Hahah that's why it's smartes to split the bill

[makenziemeg]

I won't the most expensive thing and ill be looking at prices yeah. But I'm not the girl to get a salad on a date. But I won't get a huge steak either. I like wraps and sandwiches and stuff.

[Jade_Rose]

Personally I am because I am a vegan so it's like whatever I order is going to be healthy anyways.

[misszara2u]

I don't like letting someone else pay for my food if it's a date but if he insists then I order something based off of the cost. I don't care about what I eat in front of him though.

[Lalaperson212]

Haha i always wait to see what he is getting but usually on the first date we go halfs but if the guy is paying i usually try not to buy expensive things

[Anonymous]

I order what I want but in aware of the price and try to order something around $10

[Anonymous]

I definitely wouldn't order the most expensive item or one of the most expensive items.

[Anonymous]

I always order something that isn't messy and not too expensive.

[Anonymous]

Haha, this reminds me of something I always say. I don't care who the guy is, I'm ordering a cheeseburger and fries. Nothing can stop me. xD

[Longshot]

Good answer

[Anonymous]

If the guy is paying then I would order something cheap because I don't know how much he has or how much he even wants to spend on me.

[lostbutincontrol]

I tend to pick reasonably priced items

[Anonymous]

Hell yea im hungry and imma order whatever i damn well please

[Lafemmedeschats]

I won't order anything expensive

[Anonymous]

No. I always order a steak.

[Longshot]

Do you think it's fair to your date that you are never concerned with price?

[Opinion Owner]

I always pay for my food. I like steak so I get it.

[Anonymous]

No we try to keep it cheep