Saturday 8 November, 2008Does the man *always* have to pay?

I don't know if you've noticed, many men have cut back on their spending on initial dates with women.

In the past, when I was dating a few times a week, I could easily spend $500.00 - $800.00 per month dating and hanging out. I really did not have it to spend, but I felt obligated to spend it, because I didn't want to come off as cheap when meeting a new woman. The average date for a guy can run $80.00 to $150.00 per date and I don’t think many women realize this adds up for a guy, especially if he dates two to three times per month or more.

The problem is that I found many of my dates did not last for whatever reason. I would meet them today, take them out on a date once or twice, then find out we were not compatible and that was money wasted.

It was an expensive numbers game and I think out of 8-10 women I dated, 1 or two hung around.

For me now, I have no problems with asking a woman out to Starbuck’s or a small cafe, for a first date and I meet way more women more now than I did in the past.

It's a practical approach for me now. I want to see if we have something in common or we are going to last before I start spending serious $$$. I mean why spend on someone that is not going to be around more than two weeks?  

On the flip side, a woman can date as many men as she would like in a month, but does not have to spend when she goes on a date, other than to look good.  If money is tight she can wear something in her closet.

Bottom line, men are expected to make a good impression, which means spending $$ for a nice date. When you initially meet and attempt to date a woman, you never want to come off as cheap, “that is not a good look” so creative dating may not come off too well with some women. You have to be careful in this area.