Survey Results are in! Who should pay?

I have been on the trail with Matchmaking Canada asking questions about who should pay on a date!!  It has generated a lot of debate and conversation ... 

I polled some clients, respondents and contacts to find out what people are REALLY thinking about who should pick up the tab!  220 people were polled and no surprise, 85 percent of the respondents were women!  Men, we know you are at times confused about this so pay attention here !!!

An overwhelming 72% thought the man should pay the bill.  21% thought the bill should be paid by whoever initiated the date and a small percentage (mostly under age 25) thought the bill should be split.

Here is the kicker!  Although not everyone thought the man "should" pay, a whopping 96 percent of respondents said they would judge the other person negatively if they didn't offer!! 

This tells me a few things ....  Women seem to be more willing to log in and give their 2 cents on this and they also seem to hold onto the traditional idea that the man pays the bill.  For right or wrong, this is how they feel about it.

As an experienced matchmaker (and I have talked to so many singles about this!!) I can tell you, that the results are not a huge surprise to me.  The feedback on a man that doesn't pay the bill is seldom positive.  Is it fair? It depends on the situation and the people involved.

To the defense of women (and I speak generally of course as there are always exceptions), women tend to be nurturing and giving in many other ways.  Cooking a meal, remembering important dates, picking up gifts, caring for extended families, organizing social events .... etc ...

Ideally when it comes to give and take, it all evens out.  In the meantime, my advice to men who want a second date?  Pick up the tab, gentlemen ...