Men Should Always Pay on Dates, or At Least Offer
Maybe obvious advice? Maybe not?
Wait wait wait, but equality!
I was listening to this podcast from the Socially Inept tech roasters and this segment stuck out to me, where the CEO being interviewed is complaining about some dates where men are upfront about splitting the bill. I’m with her on it being BS.
I think even if the woman you’re dating makes more than you, you should still pay as a man. I don’t think it’s that complicated, but I’ll spell it out.
Men Have Fewer Essential Expenses than Women
Medical expenses, “feminine products”, clothes, beauty products. Some call it the “pink tax”. I think it’s just: women have to pay more for essentials. Men will pay more for transportation, food (hopefully they’re paying for women?) and entertainment, but women will pay more for the rest.
In the interest of fairness, splitting is unfair. Women are already paying their share, just outside the restaurant.
Women Will Always Have More Work to Do than Men
Growing a baby. Giving birth. Feeding a baby. Taking care of the child. The gap is around ~1.7 times more labor on the part of women, not just regarding the tax on their bodies as they stretch and squeeze.
Assuming you’re dating someone, you aren’t necessarily on the “having a child” side of the continuum, but think of it as an investment, since 80+% of women will become mothers; an upfront payment for the (literal and metaphorical) labor they’ll have to face.
Paying Proves You Can Afford to Pay
Women want a man that can provide, even if they are gainfully employed. The last thing a woman wants to do is: pay more for the basics, do more of the child rearing AND have to support a man, or split meals with him.
And if you are just racking up credit card debt, get your stuff sorted out before taking women on expensive dates. That’s good for everyone.
Edit: the women I’ve discussed this with have said that paying is a power thing, so I should amend the statement to “men should always offer to pay on dates.” I see their point though I’ll leave the article as is except for this and the title edit.
Summary
Men should always pay for the meal on date. Unless the woman insists.
Men:
- Pay less for essentials
- Do less/no work when it comes to child rearing/bearing
- Need to prove they’re financially solvent
