Photos and Dating
Who Should Pay on a First Date in 2026? What Surveys Say and What to Do
Who should pay on a first date? There is no single rule anymore. Surveys show people are split: many expect the man or the person who asked to pay, while a growing share prefer to split. A good default is that whoever asked pays or offers to, and you offer to split. Then follow how the moment feels, and never accept pressure that comes with paying.
What the surveys say
Canada. The Globe and Mail reported on a Simplii Financial survey of 1,500 Canadians. 72% of single men said they would expect to pay on a date, and 39% of women said they would expect their date to pay. Women were more likely to prefer splitting: 47% of women vs 23% of men. [1] Simplii is a bank, so its survey is company-sponsored.
Australia. A Finder survey of 1,006 Australians from December 2025 found 44% think the bill should be split evenly, 39% think the person who asked should pay, 11% think it should depend on gender, and 6% think the higher earner should pay. [3] Finder is a comparison company that sells financial products, so treat it as a signal.
UK. A BBC piece from June 19, 2026 interviewed daters with very different views: some would be put off if a man asked to split, others always offer to split, and some say the person who suggests the date should expect to pay. [2]
The pattern: split and "whoever asked" are the two most common answers, but expectations still clash.
A simple default (original)
- Whoever asked pays, or offers to. If you asked him, be ready to pay.
- Always offer to split if he reaches for it, and mean it.
- If he insists, say thank you. Then offer to get the next coffee or drinks.
- If he asks to split, split. It says nothing bad about him.
Scripts for the bill moment (original)
- Offering: "Can I get half?"
- Accepting: "Thank you, that's kind. Next round's on me."
- When you asked him: "I invited you, I've got this."
- If you don't want a second date: "Let's split it." (It keeps things even.)
The safety and pressure side
Paying for a date never earns anything in return. If someone acts like you owe them affection, time, or sex because they paid, that is a red flag. End the date.
Watch for these money red flags (original list):
- Ordering expensive things then pushing you to split unequally
- Complaining about cost all night
- Payment app requests for odd amounts after the date
- Someone who "forgot their wallet" and asks you to cover a big bill and pay them back later
The BBC story included a woman whose date suggested an expensive restaurant, complained about the cost, then could not pay. She covered the meal and was never repaid. [2]
Keep dates affordable
Early dates do not need to be expensive. Coffee, a walk, a market, or a drink at a casual bar lowers the pressure on the bill for both of you.
What paying can tell you
How someone handles the bill shows a little about them:
- Gracious and relaxed, whether paying or splitting: good sign
- Keeping score or making a show of it: worth noticing
- Pushing you to spend beyond your budget: red flag
Quick answers
Is it rude to not offer? Many people notice. A simple offer is polite, even if you expect him to pay.
Should the higher earner pay? Only 6% in the Australian survey said so. [3] Early on, you rarely know who earns more anyway.
What about a long-term relationship? Couples usually work out their own system, often based on income. That is a later conversation.
The bottom line
Expectations are split, so have a simple default: whoever asked pays or offers, and you offer to split. Say thank you if he pays, offer the next round, and treat any "you owe me" energy as a red flag.