Men are usually expected to pay for dinner on dates. While we don’t mind doing so, a woman can score some easy points by offering to pay half. We will probably refuse the offer, but we’ll appreciate it.

In this day and age, chances are that you make just as much money as we do. So, in a sense, it’s odd that men are still expected to be the ones who pay for dates. Yet we don’t mind doing it. In fact, often we even like it because it’s an easy way for us to show that we’re gallant.

But even though we may like being the ones who pay for dinner or a movie, what we don’t like is if you take it for granted, or don’t even notice our attempted gallantry. So on our early dates, offer to pay for half. Most of us will politely refuse your offer, and we’ll all be happy.

An extra benefit for you is that offering to pay half will make it clear to us that you’re an independent, modern woman. And most men like independent women. Just don’t overdo it, and do allow us to pay after we’ve refused your offer.

In longer relationships, the situation changes a bit. We still won’t mind paying more often than you, but we’ll expect you to pay for a date every once in a while as well. Not necessarily because we care about the money, but because we don’t want to feel like we’re renting you.

So pay for a date every once in a while, and at the very least offer to pay half on some dates. It will make us respect you more, as well as make us feel more appreciated.