Chivalry is Still Alive, But Women Need to Step Up

Contrary to popular opinion, chivalry is still important when it comes to dating. At least it is according to a recent survey by Coffee Meets Bagel, an online dating site that uses Facebook as a tool for matching people.

Coffee Meets Bagel surveyed 557 users of the service about their dating habits, and some surprising statistics were shared. There isn't as much equality in the dating scene as we'd like to think, even though it's 2012.

According to the study, 66% of men said that they would pay on the first date, contrary to the popular belief that chivalry is on its way out. In addition, 65% of women said they'd offer to split the bill but secretly hoped he'd pay. How's that for synchronicity?

Some other surprising statistics:

• Spontaneity is in! 84% of men and 57% of women said they'd meet a date on the same day if they didn't have other plans.

• Women don't want to initiate. One in five women said they would never send the first text, and one out of three claimed that they'd never follow up with their guys first after a date, even if it was good. (Ladies, I think it's time to step it up a notch and send a text instead of playing the waiting game.)

• Men are more eager to initiate a meet-up. Fifty-one percent say they'd initiate a meet up after only exchanging a few text messages, whereas only 29% of women would do the same. Twenty-two percent of women said they'd never initiate a meet up first - it's up to the man to start.

• If a date is late, men and women are both equally patient. The vast majority of men and women would wait anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes. Good news for those of you who are perpetually stuck in traffic.

I think it's great that guys are still willing to step up to the plate on a first date and offer to pay. There's something attractive about a man who takes care of things - women still like to feel pursued (and apparently men still like the chase).

But I do think women could be a little more proactive when it comes to their love lives. We all have mobile phones and it's easy and painless to send a text. So why not take a little more initiative with your dates? If you had a good time, send him a text and ask if he wants to meet again. If you're interested in a man, don't wait for all those back and forth emails and phone calls when you could cut to the chase and ask to meet up.

Happy dating!