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.

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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.

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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.