Next time you suggest a night out to break the ice with that guy or girl you fancy, bear in mind it’s likely to cost you £56.
That’s the staggering cost of the average first date – although it seems men push
the boat out a little more by expecting to pay £65, while women draw the line at
around £50.
New research revealed sharply differing financial attitudes to first dates between
the sexes.
Women expect to split the bill, men still like to play the caveman role and pick up
the tab.
Double the number of women (58%) expect to split the bill on a first date
compared with men (29%). Around 14% of women think whoever suggested the
date should pay.
One in four women (25%) see no reason why they should pay at all, while just
3% said they should pay their way.
Men believe that chivalry isn’t dead, with 55% expecting to pay the full bill on a
first date. Nine in ten males (94%) would arrange the first date, compared with a
third (65%) of women.
Not everyone is as generous as they may seem on that first date – with 38% of
men and women splitting the cost with discount vouchers.
Richard Brown, Senior Savings Product Manager at first direct, the bank that
commissioned the research, said: “As we approach the wedding season, the
couple on everyone’s lips is Kate Middleton and Prince William. It would be
fascinating to know if they split the bill or if William paid and pulled out a
discount voucher on their first date.
“If he did, he is far from alone. Dating can be an expensive business and if you do
not have the disposable income of a future royal, it is important to make sure you
have enough money saved to find The One.”
