Should Women Ever Offer To Pay?

We’ve all been there before. You’ve been dating a girl for a few months, your bank account’s hanging on by a thread, but you keep taking her out because, well she’s hot… and you actually love her. You’re doing dinners, drinks, concerts, all the little things that make a relationship fun, and suddenly you find yourself thinking, “Is this girl ever gonna offer to pay for something, or is she just here to bleed me dry?”

It’s a weird spot to be in. Because as a guy, you never want your girl to pay. That’s not how we’re wired. Most of us were raised to take care of the bill, open the door, and make sure she’s taken care of. But there’s something about the gesture of offering that goes a long way. Even if it’s something small like grabbing the beers at a game, paying for snacks at a movie, or picking up the Uber home, it’s the thought that counts.

It’s not about the money, it’s about effort. When a girl offers to pay, it tells a guy, “Hey, I appreciate what you do. I’m not just here for the free meals.” That little moment of reciprocity builds respect. And yeah, maybe it depends where you’re both at in life, if you’re a broke college kid or a couple with real careers, the expectations change but the principle stays the same.

Making an effort, even just once in a while, can go a long way in keeping things balanced. So ladies, next time you go to the movies offer to buy the popcorn. We probably won’t let you pay, but we’ll definitely notice that you tried.

For more takes like this, check out the latest episode of Friends Know Benefits.