Picking up the tab

[InformedIgnorance]

Dating ritual remains: men still more likely to pick up tab | Toronto Star

I found this interesting article today and thought I would share; I think it shows an area I have long had mainly anecdotal evidence for, that it is expected that men foot the bill in terms of dating.

Though I think the 44% that said they wouldnt date a woman who didnt share the bill are probably talking out their rear - it is amusing to note that it is exactly the same proportion of women who are 'bothered' by being expected to contribute at all (though even then the article notes that after 6 months there are at least 17% (possibly more) that havent contributed at all to paying the expenses - let alone half).

It is somewhat intriguing that during courtship some of these traditional gender roles are considered the norm - yet during a long term relationship equality is expected.

 

[Galen.Iksnudnard]

For me picking up the tab wasn't really so much about the gender rules, it was about just being polite and doing the right thing. If I asked someone out on a date and that person was taking the time to spend the night with me, the least I could do would be to pick up the tab.

 

[Caladan]

I was never the kind to systematically pick up the tab. Truthfully, I believe both men and women in my social environment would find that primitive. Usually it is shared. Hell I dated women who picked the tab themselves.
I don't pay for everything in marriage either. Both my wife and I have helped each other in matters of finance and material. If I want to treat my wife I am always cool with buying flowers, chocolate, etc. But the big things are shared.