I laughed this morning when I read an article in the morning newspaper regarding the issue over who pays for dinner on the first date. The reason I laughed is because last week I had a similar conversation with my daughter who is 20 years old. I asked her, "Who pays for dinner?" Her response, "Well, the way it works for me is I offer to pay 3 times; after the third offer I don't offer again." I laughed, "When your father and I were dating one of two things happened: we split the bill or we took turns." She responded, "That is because you were friends before you started dating." My response, "No, it is because I don't believe that men have to pay. We want equal rights yet we are turning back the clock by expecting men to pay if they ask us out on a date?" For me it runs deeper than the simple matter of who pays because I cannot help but ask myself just what is it are they paying for?" I never wanted to be in a situation whereby I felt he was actually paying for something. My next question to her: "What would you do if your date took you up on your offer to pay?" She answered, "That would be the last date."
So I asked myself how is it that in this day and age women still expect men to pay when they go on a date. On most occasions both parties have limited funds because they are students so why is it that the man has to pay. I know that my daughter pays for her own ticket when they go to a concert, or she will attempt to pay for parking or ski passes but still the expectation to pay for dinner is still placed on him. Clearly, despite women's desire for an equal world who pays is something that is unchanged.
When I asked my son who pays? He answered, "I do, isn't that what I am supposed to do?" I answered, "Not necessarily." Of course, it is his prerogative but I was of the mind that it was a partnership. So much for the opinion of a middle-aged woman!
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