Should you Expect for Him to Pay for the Date?

Picture courtesy of RollingOut.com

Robin's Take

We chatted this up last week on the show and the consensus was that YES a man (a real one at least) should pay the tab on the first date.  If it were up to me he should pay on all dates from then on.  I mean isn't that what your mama taught you?  I saw this article on one of my favorite FB friends pages and can agree with most of what the author wrote. It's from a males perspective and he suggest that the first date is the guys responsibility but as the relationship develops some equal sharing of date events is recommended.  Hmmm...I mean I don't mind getting the popcorn on movie night but don't go slipping me the bill at Grand Lux.  IJS

Erika's Take

Seeing that I have been out of the "dating scene" for well over 20 years my views of this subject may be well....out of date.  However when I was actually "dating" my philosophy was that the man should be the one to pick up the tab for the date.  It was/is also my belief that the man should open up the doors (car included) and help the lady to her seat as well.  For all the dates there after, I believe that the man should expect to "pay" for the date however the woman can offer to split the bill or pay for drinks.  After you have established the "relationship" then I too agree with the author of the blog post Single Black Male:Should Women Still Expect Men To Pay For Dates? that there should be a discussion on who pays for what in the relationship.  I'm all about letting the man/woman know what the dating expectations are up front so that there will be no surprises/disappointments as the relationship progress.  There is nothing wrong with buying the drinks, or snacks at the movies or even splitting the dinner tab sometime, but let me offer.  Don't ask "me" out and then expect to slide the bill to me when it's time to pay because you will surely find yourself busting suds to cover your half of the bill while I have moved on to the next one!


Don't forget to listen tonight (9PM EST) as we continue our 2nd part of Love and Relationships with the NightCap crew on Wednesday Wind Down. 

Special Valentine Night Dinner | Guest Blogger Beautiful Beyond Dreams

Dinner for Two: 3 Courses & a Mocktail under $30.00!!

I love to cook and I love to save money.  With Valentine’s Day near I wanted to provide you with a great 3 course dinner for two plus a yummy mocktail (if you drink insert “cocktail”) all for under 30 bucks!! Yes, you heard me right…appetizer, dinner, dessert and drinks for two hungry people under $30 dollars...I promise you will end the night feeling full and happy!!

This 3 course dinner is restaurant worthy, but involves some creative and smart thinking, coupons, and a lot of kitchen fun! Below you will find the costs of all the items purchased along with pictures showing you the finished result and the actual total price.

Don’t just cook to cook…cook to eat a dinner that you and your significant other will rave about for months! Remember to have fun in the kitchen and be sure to taste everything along the way, just make sure you leave room for dinner!

Dinner for Two: 3 Courses & a Mocktail under $30.00!!

Appetizer: $5.50

Tomato Basil Soup with Mini Paprika Garlic Bread Sticks

(Ingredients: Progresso Tomato Basil Soup($2.50), Hoagie Rolls($1.00), 1 bag shredded cheese($2.00))

Dinner: $16.63

Creamy Pesto Spaghetti with Tilapia, Asparagus, Spinach & Tomatoes

(Ingredients: 1 box of thin Spaghetti($0.88), Creamy Pesto Sauce Mix: Milk & Cream Cheese($4.00), Fresh Tilapia($4.00), Fresh Asparagus($3.00), Fresh Spinach($2.00), Fresh Tomatoes($1.00), Parmesan Cheese($1.75))

Dessert: $2.50

Red Velvet Cake in a Cup

(Ingredients: 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix($1.00), 1 container of Cream Cheese frosting($1.50), Any cup that makes you happy!(FREE from your home.))

Mocktail: $5.00

Sparkling Pinkade Apple Mocktail

(Ingredients: Pink Lemonade($2.00), 1 bottle of Sprite($1.00), Orange Juice($1.50), 1 Apple($0.50). If making an actual cocktail add liquor of choice.)

Dinner for Two: 3 Courses & a Mocktail = $29.63!!

Thanks so much Brittany, owner of Beautiful Beyond Dreams LLC for giving us this loving and penny pinching meal.  We think there's enough left over for a nice Valentine gift.  Follow Brittany on Twitter at @UrDreamPlanner and she's regularly listening in to The Divas and obviously Sister-Save-Alot each and every Saturday at 8AM.