Pros & Cons: Splitting the Bill on a Date
By Whitney Baker for CupidsPulse.com
"Going Dutch" is becoming more and more popular, not only with your closest friends but also with your partner. While it's still typical for your man to pay for your date-night bill, it's equally common for couples to split the bill. Of course, for a special occasion, such as your partner's birthday or an announcement of a job promotion, it's nice to cover the entire bill as a surprise to your significant other. But other times, you may want to go halfsies to show them that you can still pull your own weight. Still, there are both pros and cons for splitting the bill on a date.
Related: Celebrity Women Who Are the Breadwinners of the Relationship
Pros:
1. It keeps things fair and balanced. It's nice to feel like you're contributing to your relationship: emotionally, financially or otherwise. If you want to split the bill on your next date, approach your partner about it. They're sure to appreciate your effort. There are even apps like Tip Calculator Free to make the math easy for you.
2. It shows your independence. This is especially important for women, who still sometimes suffer from the old-fashioned notion that their boyfriends are expected to pay for every meal. Modern women are proud of their financial freedom. In fact, some women make more money than their significant others. One way to show your success to your date is by footing your half of the bill.
3. It's just a nice thing to do. If you're in your twenties or thirties and going out on a first date with a new guy, he's probably paid for his fair share of dates already. Offering to split the bill will defy his expectations, which could make him like you even more.
Cons:
1. It may signal a financial problem for your partner. What if your man is asking you to split the bill because he can't afford to pay for it? It's never good to assume anything, but if you notice that he wants you to cover your half of the bill every time, he may be hiding something from you.
Related: Five Signs Your Partner Is Using You for Your Money
2. It makes the date more platonic. If a guy asks you on a date, chances are, he'll take care of the bill, especially if he plans to ask you out again. However, if he offers to split it with you, he may be more interested in just being friends. Either way, it's important to make sure that you two are on the same page, so this can help you make that judgment.
3. It takes away the "treat" aspect of the date. When you split the bill, it's kind of like taking yourself to dinner rather than going out for a special evening with your significant other. Sure, it's perfectly fine to go halfsies for a random pizza lunch on Wednesday afternoon, but don't let that habit carry over into Saturday night's fine dining.