If there's anything more awkward than a first date, it's got be that point where something needs to be paid for, and you really aren't sure who should be footing the bill. Should he pay? Should she pay? Or go halvesies? It's a dilemma.
That said, it seems the lads are still forking out the most money when it comes to romantic evenings out. Yes ladies, we may be moving forward in terms of equal rights, but the boys are still insisten on paying the bill. Researchers at Chapman University, New York, found that the lads are the ones with the hand in the pocket more often, even though both husband and wife work together to bring home the bacon in eight out of ten marriages.
Of course, that doesn't mean that the lads are always happy to pay. Two thirds of the men questioned thought that the ladies in their lives should be more than happy to pay their fair share, although 76 per cent admitted they'd feel guilty if the girls did.
And as for the ladies themselves? Well, 57 per cent of 'em said they'd happily pay their share, while 44 per cent preferred to let the lads pick up the tab. A third of them admitted to making 'empty' offers to split the bill, hoping that chivalry would ultimately win out.
Younger couples (in their 20s or so) were the most open to equality, while older ones seemed happy to stick with the status quo. That said, researchers revealed that attitudes were changing, regardless of the demographics.
"Some gendered practices are more resistant to change than others; for example, the acceptance of women in the workplace versus holding onto traditional notions of chivalry" said Dr David Frederick, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Chapman University.
So gang, tell us, is chivalry dead yet? Should the ladies be happy to pay their way on a first date? Or does the idea of letting her help foot the bill send you shrieking back into the Man Cave? And what about same sex couples? How do you settle a debate about the bill? There's a little comment box down yonder - let your words roll free.
