Men shouldn’t have to pay bill on first date amid cost of living crisis, expert says

Now, we all have varying opinions on if men should pay the bill on a first date or if it's easier just to go Dutch, but the cost of living crisis might just throw established dating etiquette into turmoil.

Many of us now can't even afford to go on dates, let alone stump up the cost of a slap-up meal for two.

In fact, 40 percent of single Brits are reporting they aren’t able to date as frequently due to the financial cost-of-living burden, a recent study by dating platform Match has suggested.

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Yet regardless of the times we live in, who should pick up the bill after a first date remains a thorny topic.

Dating expert Lorraine Adams, who has been involved the dating sector for 22 years, has given her take on the whole situation.

She thinks men shouldn't feel pressured to pay the bill, in what she calls an 'outdated practise'.

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"It's 2022, women are striving hard to gain total equality, we mostly equal our male counterparts in earning potential, so to hang on to a very outdated practise where the guy is expected to pay is ludicrous," Lorraine told LADbible.

"Most Gen Z’s and younger millennials are totally OK with splitting the bill not just on the first date, but all throughout their relationships.

"However there are still so many 40+ single women who still hang on to the notion that the chaps should foot the bill.

"Masked as a chivalrous act, many women in this age demographic can often be hugely judgmental if a man suggests splitting the bill - even painting him as being 'cheap'.

"Many going as far as even turning down a second date if the guy does not foot the bill."

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She continues: "Personally I agree that things have moved on, it is unjust and unfair in these financially challenging times to expect a guy to pay on a first date.

"It should also even out the expectations come the end of the date.

"I've often heard about some women anticipating awkward moments feeling a little pressured to go further than they would like in terms of being intimate if the chap has just paid for an expensive meal on the first date.

"Splitting the bill pitches everyone on the same playing field."

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Lorraine is currently an investor in Genie Connections – being hailed as ‘The dating app for singles who hate dating apps’.

The platform uses Bluetooth tech to enable people to match via the app. If both have the app downloaded – it doesn’t have to be open.

So, when you doubletake someone at the gym, in the street, or at a party or event, it never needs to be just another missed opportunity.

You can see if they are on your Genie app radar history either in the moment or later.

For more info, visit genieconnections.com.