my friend sam went on a date recently
and the guy chose the restaurant. he was quite adamant on his choice so she went along with it. then he was adamant that she had three courses, even though she only wanted two. and then at the end he whipped out a voucher to pay.

we all howled and told her to dump him immediately. what kind of a pikey pays for a DATE with 2-4-1 VOUCHERS?
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:30, 6 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Me

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:31, Reply)

I would, but I'd probably mention it up front.
and I wouldn't force anyone to eat what they wanted.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:32, Reply)

Ok, that is rather bad
Where do you stand on settling the bill on a first date? Man pays or go Dutch?
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:32, Reply)

Man should pay.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:33, Reply)

i always offer because i am too embarrassed not to
but yeah, any decent bloke won't hear of letting the girl pay on a first date in my opinion. if he does, smile sweetly, hand over your card, never telephone him again!

second date onwards it depends - who earns more; if you don't live locally who has paid to travel; who has ordered more expensive drinks etc etc.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:36, Reply)

I'd go along with this
On a first date I will always pay, after that you take circumstances and variables into consideration, but I'll always pay at least half, unless it's been stated as a treat for me.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:37, Reply)

I always pay, except on my birthday when my gf insists on paying.
This was the same before we started living together too. I'm not a particularly chivalrous bloke but it just seems the right thing to do.
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:39, Reply)

Wiggy pays for me more often than not
but I pay when I can and I took him out for a proper posh steak on his birthday, but I can't really afford to splash the cash all the time.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:45, Reply)

That sounds reasonable

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:46, Reply)

are you being sarcastic and secretly thinking what a sponging whore I am?

( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:56, Reply)

No sarcasm. Your set-up sounds exactly like mine.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:58, Reply)

oh good
I've promised to repay Wiggy when I'm a dragon, so he just has to wait a bit
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:02, Reply)

I always offer
and I wouldn't be offended if they accepted, but on a first date I'd think it was strange, and would definitely take it as a 'they're not interested' factor. Not because of the money, but because there's a certain way of behaving that signifies interest
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:39, Reply)

It's good to offer
I'd hate it if a woman continually refused to offer, but acted like she expected me to pay every time.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:42, Reply)

oh now there's a massive thread to pull
first dates are a minefield of behaviour and misinterpretations of that behaviour! ever seen the "hey, i'll give you a call" episode of "friends", where chandler is trying to dump rachel's boss???
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:43, Reply)

No I haven't seen that. Then again I have a live outside E4 on Sky.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:46, Reply)

the fact that you know the tv scheduling
Suggests otherwise my fine grunpy friend
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:52, Reply)

absolute minefield
what to wear, what to do, what do you do afterwards etc.

Oh well, not that it's going to be bothering me for a while
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:54, Reply)

and
The more build up there is, the flatter the date will be. You make a real effort and get really excited, it guarantees there will be zero spark. Same principle is true for most nights out actually, maybe it's an expectation thing.

Perhaps all first dates should take place when you have 2 day old hair and gymkit on and only half an hour to spare each other?
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:01, Reply)

That's definitely true
Last night I got all dressed up, very little result.

I like that idea. I would also like an anti-shyness pill
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:04, Reply)

I am in dire need of a "just fucking go for it" pill.
At least then I wouldn't waste so much time wondering if I missed my cue.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:24, Reply)

I think half of b3ta
would buy that pill
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:25, Reply)

Thinking about it, have I not just described cocaine?
Ony trouble with that is the side-effect: May render you an insufferable cunt.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:32, Reply)

women like insufferable cunts

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:36, Reply)

Not ALL of them.
I hope.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:41, Reply)

Man should pay.
And no arguments.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:35, Reply)

Don't be daft.

( girlinthehole, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:39, Reply)

First date?
Of course the bloke should pay. It's the law. After that first date, I'd expect the other person to offer to go Dutch, but depending on circumstances would depend on if I'd accept that.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:41, Reply)

I think first date maybe but because of tradition more than anything else.
But I wouldn't shirk at going dutch on a first date.
( girlinthehole, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:42, Reply)

Depends as well who has ask who out.
I still maintain that the bloke should pay, is it not still the case that 9 times out of 10, the man instigates the 'date'?
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:59, Reply)

This is why I always take a calculator to restaurant dates
so I can accurately apportion the bill depending on the goods and services we have each consumed.

I also take a projected budget report to ensure we keep within the funds I have allocated for the meal.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:42, Reply)

let's never get divorced, mmkay?

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:45, Reply)

You and me 4evah babe!

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:46, Reply)

that's what my tattoo says!

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:53, Reply)

I always knew you were right classy like

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:56, Reply)

l b
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:01, Reply)

i'm dead expensive me

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:06, Reply)

people think you're kidding
but you're an accountant, you have a special Going Out calculator for just such occasions don't you?
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:46, Reply)

Yes, my Casio fx-83WA
It has a sliding cover to protect it from spillages (of drink)
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:48, Reply)

Dutch.
I'm strong on egalitarianism.
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:44, Reply)

Someone who is skint but wants to be chivalrous rather than make her go halves?
Maybe not for a first date, but I don't know his circumstances.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:34, Reply)

If you're skint
You either just go out for a drink, or you offer to cook.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:35, Reply)

Restaurants are fun though

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:36, Reply)

Not all restaurants have a ball-pit and an 'all you can eat ice-cream factory' Roota.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:37, Reply)

Wotchit you

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:43, Reply)

ha ha ha
Rootas Restuarant date says: 'Sorry love, I'd pull a chair out for you, but we're in Pizza Hut and they're bolted to the floor, still, you eat all of your stuffed-crust pizza and you can use the Ice-cream factory, but only - you listening? - only if you eat your mains'

Roota replies 'Ball-Pit! Ball-Pit!'
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:47, Reply)

I wonder if it's possible to book those for grown up parties?

( girlinthehole, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:49, Reply)

I'd imagine so.
It's all money to them isn't it?
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:55, Reply)

you forgot menus with pictures on them.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:44, Reply)

and colouring in place mats!
Not that I'm siding with them Roota, I'm already in your bad books today!
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:46, Reply)

Treasure Hunt!

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:47, Reply)

and the ice cream factory at Pizza Hut - woo hoo
Did you go to Schwartz Bros in the end the other night?
(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:49, Reply)

No. I thought about it
but decided that I had much bette things to do than to drive around Bath, trying to find somewhere to park to get a takeaway burger that I'd have to eat in the car.

But now you mention it....
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:53, Reply)

I nearly got the last train from Paddington to go and get one.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:55, Reply)

They really are a bit special.
When did you last enjoy one?
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:00, Reply)

Approximately 1995.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:01, Reply)

That is too long
When did you last head to the West Country?
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:05, Reply)

Avon & Somerset last year, Devon two weeks ago.

(lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:06, Reply)

You need to factor in a visit.

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:11, Reply)

^this

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:36, Reply)

he was not remotely skint, he had a great job
therein lay the problem.

it turned out to be the tip of the iceberg on date 2, so sometimes you can (and should) judge a book by its cover and run!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:37, Reply)

Ah that's what I was saying
I didn't know if he was skint or just tight.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:40, Reply)

ducks have looser arses

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:44, Reply)

Sounds suspiciously like my sister's last boyfriend
The man was definitely not strapped for cash, but every date seemed to be based around the choice of coupons and vouchers available to him.
(LongJohnBaldry, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 14:42, Reply)

What a fucking peasant.
Appalling.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 13 Oct 2010, 15:12, Reply)