Fluff
One of the wifes friends is single and in her thirties. She was telling us that she never seems to keep a bloke for more than a couple of weeks after which they just want "to be friends".

She came on holiday with us for a couple of days.

I'm used to paying for all of our meals and drinks as we have always had a joint account. After a day I realised I had been paying for everything including her friend.

I then started to take note of what was happening. She has mastered the art of completing ignoring the fact the bill has turned up as though the waiter is a ghost that only I can see. My wife the next day made the point of splitting the bill three ways and getting her cash out. Fluff had to be shown the bill and then added to the penny exactly her share. But no more was said about it.

A month or so later she mentioned that her latest chap on the third date had suggested she go halves on the bill in a posh chinese restaurant, she was outraged and was discussing with my wife whether to dump him.

The next time we went out and met her my wife was discussing this and I mentioned that perhaps paying now and again might be a good idea.

"Why should I" was her reply.

"Well, me and the wife have always split the bill and we've been married for fifteen years, yet your still single".

"Mmmm".

Apparantly she got the message and she's still with the bloke.
(Yellow Car is now red, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:07, 4 replies)

The rule
is that the person who invites the other out picks up the bill. Either that or they split it.

There is no reason for the man to ALWAYS pay the way.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:15, closed)

damn straight
women want equality they can fucking well have it!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:26, closed)

In a way I see why she lets the men pay for her
Around where I live, for the most part, kids are brought up to believe that the man pays for all dates when going out. The woman, in turn, cooks nice dinners, buys loads of little gifts for the man and keeps his life running smothly. Most men (again, around here) cringe when the woman tries to pay because they start feeling like they aren't being a good provider. But it ends up being pretty much financially even.

My first husband and I had a good arrangement. He paid all the bills while I paid for all the unnecessary things like dinners, movies, electronic gadgets, his hobbies, his work tools, etc. But of course, I had to give the money to him so he could be the one to physically pay and not look like less of a man in front of the till monkey.

I have experimented with paying half or picking up the bill on dates. Sometimes with success, usually not so much so. I think you just have to be aware of what is normal in your region and go with it.
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:33, closed)

i hate women like that!
i've never expected-or even asked-a bloke to pay for me! if i'm strapped for cash and someone takes me out, i'll return the favour as soon as possible, be it partner, friend or family member.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 1:07, closed)