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With the world around us changing rapidly, I decided to ask a question that you might have been asking yourself in your teens:
Who should pay for the first date?
I thought that the answer would be about 50/50 for heterosexual couples, but I was wrong.
It turns out that some habits die hard.
Even habits that might seem outdated and contrary to “progressive” values still hold a firm hand in our day and age.
Or does it?
Here are my findings…
How I Did This Survey
I asked the same question in two different groups on Facebook that I am a member of to see if the results differed.
The respondents could answer the question by choosing one of these options:
- The woman should pay
- We will split it between us 50/50
- We will pay separately
- The man should pay
When the survey launched, I structured it this way to ensure that the readers would actually read it and not check the first option immediately.
My hypothesis before asking this group was that in one of the groups with many members with conservative values, I thought that the answer would be that the man should pay would be the answer.
In this group, there were people from all over the world, from 18 up to 80, and both men and women.
My theory was correct about how this group would respond.
However, to my surprise, I discovered that splitting the bill got 30% of the votes, while 70% voted that the man should pay.
My reference group had mixed values but was single or divorced women from the United States of America in the age range of 35 and up.
Since it is a group of strong and independent women, I hypothesized that the majority would choose to pay it 50/50 or separately.
I formed both hypotheses from my own biased opinion.
So, what did the second group answered?
It turns out that I was right here too, and they claimed that both should pay for what they ate and drank during the date.
All who voted choose that option.
How Should a First Date Be Like?
A first date should be all about getting to know each other a bit and seeing whether the two of you are a good fit for each other or not.
If you aren’t, then you know that you weren’t right for each other.
In a recent article, Shelly Kimball shared her first date checklist that is purely amazing and will help you prepare yourself for your first date.
Click or tap here to read Shelly Kimball’s first date checklist now.
Will the First Date Be Awkward?
A first date does not necessarily need to be awkward, but it can be for several reasons.
One of the most obvious reasons is if one of you is shy.
It is perfectly natural to feel a bit shy if you meet somebody for the first time.
However, here are a few tips that might help you overcome your shyness.
Another common reason is that you run out of topics to discuss.
It happens when the two of you don’t know each other very well, and I experienced that when I began dating in my late 20s.
The silence will seize after a few seconds.
Even if that may seem like an eternity and pretty awkward for you, it happens to everyone dating.
If you want to avoid it, here are my best questions to ask on a first date.
In that article, I share forty-five unusual questions that you can be asking your date, so you hopefully don’t run out of topics to discuss.
Even if you don’t know each other, they will help you get to know your date.
If it happens at the beginning of your first date, you should use one of the questions to talk about it.
However, you can start your next first date with one of these openers.
How Long Should a First Date Last?
How long a first date should last will depend on the connection you feel between you and your date.
Every date is different, so I can not really tell you how long it should be.
I can advise you to do so if you feel some emotional connection and try to make it longer.
The best approach that I know of is my 3-in-1 date concept.
You start it in the morning with breakfast and end it in the evening with dinner.
The time in between the time you’re eating is filled with activities.
If you want to read more about this concept, you should read this article.
Where Should I Go on a First Date?
I would guess that there are plenty of places to go, a lot of things to do, and many places to visit in your city.
Sometimes, it can be hard to pick just one or two things to do.
Other times, however, you are at the other end and are thinking about what you could do but remains clueless.
If that happens, you might appreciate my ten best places for first dates.
Is First Date Good?
It is only you and your date who will decide whether a first date is good or not.
First for yourself separately, and then together.
If you’re watching the TV show First Date, but it is single, my best advice is to STOP watching it and start dating yourself.
Chances are pretty high that you will never find someone to love otherwise.
I watched TV shows like that before, but then, I realized that my own fears kept me watching it.
It helped me justify why I wasn’t dating.
When I began dating, I had to move out of my comfort zone, and I will not lie to you – IT WAS HARD.
I was not too fond of it at first, but then I began to enjoy the experience.
Eventually, after a couple of years of trying and failing, I found my soulmate.
Would you like to know how I did it?
Click or tap here to discover how I found my soulmate and how you can hopefully find yours too.
No matter what you choose to do, now you know who pays for the first date, at least.
I wish you an amazing day,
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