When Should You Pick Up the Tab?

There's a lot of debate about who pays for what when it comes to dating. Early on in a relationship, no ground rules have been set, so whether or not you offer to pay, split the bill, or sit back in your chair and wait for your date to grab the bill, is up to you. Unfortunately, many people have expectations when it comes to dating and who foots the bill. So it's important to understand you could be hurting your chances by trying to save some money.

The economy is still slow, so many daters understand that most people can't afford expensive dinners out or to be treated all the time. There has to be reciprocity when it comes to dating, especially in the beginning when you're seeing what each other is all about.

That said, if you try to save a few bucks by using coupons or by itemizing everything you and your date consumed instead of just splitting the bill in half or making more affordable choices about where to dine, you're going to look cheap.

Following are some general rules for when and how to pick up the tab:

Whoever asks, pays. There aren't really traditional male and female roles anymore when it comes to dating. While some people are old school and expect a man to open up doors and pay for everything, this is no longer the norm. Instead, the new rule of thumb is - if you ask him out, you pay for the date, whether you're male or female. Don't expect princess treatment, ladies. We are equals in the dating world, but that doesn't mean things aren't romantic anymore. Romance is in the gestures and the planning, not in the tab.

Know your budget. While it might be nice to try to impress someone by taking him or her to the hottest club or the most expensive trendy restaurant, if it's going to set you back a couple of paychecks, is it worth it? No - because you don't want your date to get the wrong impression of you. Instead of trying to impress with cash, try using a little creativity. A small gesture such as planning a thoughtful night having a picnic under the stars can be a lot more romantic.

Tip please! Just because you picked up the dinner tab doesn't mean you should skimp on all the people who served you. Please tip the waiter at least fifteen percent, as well as the valet if you used one. Be fair - it makes a big impression on your date if you refuse to pay for the little things.

Reciprocity is sexy. It's great when your date pays for everything, but it's also nice for you to offer to pick up the tab or plan something special every so often. Dating isn't one-sided. When you're both putting effort into it, then you're building something special.