Dating Relationship Advice - Aren't You Going Dutch?

It's been a good evening. You and your date met atways than one.
one of those trendy restaurants. Yes it's an upscaleIt should go without saying that deciding who pays
kind of place but it has a good down to earth vibe.what should be worked out beforehand but over the
The conversation between the two of you wasyears this has tripped up many would be dating
nothing short of dazzling. Both of you came preparedpartners. In the old days it was assumed the man
with plenty of material to talk about. Turns out youwould automatically pick up the tab for everything.
didn't really need it. The natural connection that theThankfully those days are gone. Sort of. While a lot
two of you share just took over and before youof women have no problem footing the bill, there are
knew it a couple of hours passed by.still quite a few who are of the old school mindset.
Dinner was the bomb. Everything was well preparedSome men of course feel the same way but
and delicious. You and your date both agree that thiseverybody likes to be treated from time to time.
place should become a regular spot. That is until youThe point is to not let yourself get caught in this
get the check.type of situation again. You can always call your date
You were so into each other that you lost track ofand apologize for what took place and your attitude
those second helpings you both ordered. And wowafterwards. You may have to eat some humble pie
did it add up. Factor in the gratuitous tip and it looksand tell them that you bear the blame for the
like you may have to take out a bank loan to payconfusion. Hopefully your date is on the same
for this meal.wavelength and shoulders some of that responsibility.
That unfortunately is not the worst part. Now due toEven if they don't and you two still feel good about
a lack of communication there is confusion abouteach other make plans to go out again and decide
who is going to pay what. Your date thought youwhose paying.
were going to pay since you were the one thatYou could take turns or decide to go dutch for
asked them out. You figured they were going to payawhile. Not having to monitor what somebody else
or at least chip in since they were the ones whodecides to order can be a huge burden off your
suggested this overpriced establishment with theshoulders.
crummy food (amazing how a bill can change yourYou are not a cheapskate and neither is your date.
perspective). You would have been satisfied going toBut we live in expensive times and it seems like the
Mickey D's and ordering a happy meal.cost of everything is going up. Therefore it's more
Nevertheless you make the grand gesture and paythan understandable that you don't want to be the
the entire amount but that doesn't mean you areone who always has to shell out the bucks on a date.
happy about it. Your date senses this but is not quiteHowever keep in mind that the other person is also
sure what to say. Suddenly, all that great chemistryfeeling the economic squeeze. Try to find that
has been replaced by an uncomfortable silence.common ground that is agreeable to both of you.
Saying goodbye at the door is nothing more than aThen enjoy your nights on the town.
grunt and a mumble. Then it's over. Maybe in more