51% men expect women to split date bills

Increasing financial pressures and greater equality at work seems to have killed chivalry as men are becoming increasingly unwilling to cover the cost of a first date alone, a new survey has revealed.

According to the latest survey, most men would now ask for a contribution from a female partner on a first date with 51 percent happier to go Dutch and split the bill.

The true gentlemen out there are numbered with just under one third of those polled saying they would still pay for a first meeting.

The remaining one in five said they would be happy to pay for parts of the night, such as a round of drinks, but would not be willing to cover the whole evening.

Shockingly, five percent of those quizzed said that they would be happy to reverse roles and allow their female companion to fund their evening.

Increasing financial pressures was cited as the number one reason behind the decision however many of those polled stated that they felt it was unfair, or even a little embarrassing to pay for the date.

Interestingly, 91 percent men said that if things were going badly they would be willing to cut their losses and leave early to save cash.

A spokesman for FridayFriday.com, who carried out the research, said that the results show some men are choosing to put financial realities ahead of first impressions when it came to a first encounter.

"Social etiquette has always dictated that men pay for a first date, whether it be food, drinks, show tickets or a taxi home – however it seems more men than ever before are choosing to ask for a contribution from their date," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

"This may sound a little unromantic but our poll has revealed that for many they simply don't have as much cash as they may once have done and therefore are keen to ensure their spending doesn't spiral.

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