[rcoreyus]

I think the relative amounts of money the two dating people have makes a difference. Now I don't date (married), but if I did, I'd like to be able to take a woman somewhere nice (which is to say interesting). I have a fair bit of money, so the cost of a dinner really isn't an issue. I would be very happy to pay for someone who had less - but at the same time understand how that might make them feel awkward or obligated (which I would not want). Guess I would play it by ear depending on the particular person.

[owlhunter]

I pre-date Rcoreyus, but ...

I believe neither party should always pay - something I learned late in the 20th century.

Many women would feel offended if they were not allowed to pay their way. They are grown up people and can take care of themselves.

I agree that if I invite someone out to dinner, then i expect to pay, and vice versa. I have gotten myself in more "trouble" for always trying to pay (old habits die hard) than the other way around.

So just relax and let things flow. NEVER embarass a woman by not letting her pay when she wants to. It can make her feel subserviant in the relationship.

[commonsense]

If a woman expects to earn a salary for the honour of her time she's a prostitute, and I don't need to pay for company. In fact, if I did, I'd probably go the whole hog and get an honest prostitute, that way at least getting laid would be a certainty.

OMG!!! We are not that bad. If we are with you we just want to enjoy a moment of your time. Hopefully, it may progress into a lasting friendship/relationship. Let's keep romance alive! Don't degrade the courtship. Any woman that would do something like that (try to use you) is not worth you time anyway.

[WildChild]

In the modern world things are different and women aren't courted as much as they used to be. It depends on a number of factors, who does the asking, who has money and mood. We tend to ebb and flow with this, but then 'dating' isn't exactly what my relationship has involved, rather, we do things together; working on a car, painting a room, taking a walk, shopping (that's the home improvement or tool store) watching a movie. I'll make dinner occasionally, he say let's grab some lunch. It probably balances out really. We are both so busy with work, our kids and families, that actual dates aren't very common, we just find time to spend together and enjoy each other.