Let's go dutch

Recently I had a conversation with a colleague of mine about the unspoken first date protocol and etiquette, and it’s amazing how we both had such different and conflicting views about which party was automatically obligated to pick up the bill. It made me wonder just how many people got stranded and/or had an inexplicably horrible first date simply because while one of the two parties thought “she invited me, therefore she should pay”, the other party had an opposing view – “he is the man and it is only expected that he pay the bill”. It happens folks, it happens!

Now, based on my findings from asking different people about this topic, there were three apparent views:

1. The man should ALWAYS pay on the first date regardless of who asked whom out. Men are supposed to be the providers of the family (FAMILY? Hang on, we are only talking about the “superficial” first date here, not marriage) therefore they should step up to the plate and show women that they can take care of them.
2. The person who asked the other one out should ideally pick up the bill because s/he invited the other person to lunch / dinner so it is only common courtesy.
3.  Both parties should agree to go dutch from the onset.

In light of that, I would like to hear your opinions out there – there is no right or wrong answer for this question but it will be interesting to read different comments, opinions and explanation. So I pose this question to you:  WHO SHOULD PICK UP THE BILL ON THE FIRST DATE?

Now, a few of my sample group members stated that while it is completely acceptable and appropriate to go dutch on the first date, if this is an ongoing behaviour beyond your second date.........hmmmm then ladies........this perhaps may be the right time to RUN FOR THE HILLS