Dating has changed a lot over the years and with our community being more technologically advanced, the way other people meet each other and get to know each other has completely changed. Sure, you can still meet someone at a cafe, a bar, or even at work, but many are still relying on these apps to take a lot of the guesswork out of modern dating. But when it comes to going on dates, you might still be wondering: who foots the bill?
According a recent study by Syfe and Coffee Meets Bagel, when it comes to who should pay on a first date, it seems that the question is still a topic for debate.
Based on a recent survey that was done with 1363 Singaporeans on love and money, it appears that 2 in 5 women believe that men should pay first. Similarly, 2 in 5 men also believe that they should pay. But when it comes to the segment of participants 35 and above, more than half, both male and female, believe that it is the men that should pay.
The way in which this negotiation shakes out may differ depending where on where you live in. And if you’re living in Singapore, it seems that going Dutch may not be an overly popular pick with the masses. In fact, the survey has shown that only 30% of participants believe that the bill should be split on the first date.
And while some of you might be more passionate to whip out your cards to pay for the dates first, there are times when you might feel like your date should offer to split the bill. According to the survey, 51% of women and 24% of the men surveyed mentioned that they would be offended if they offered to pay and the other person did not offer to split. We know, it may be a touchy subject for some, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask the other person if they are willing to split the bill, and simply bring it up rather than skirting around the issue.
While there is no right or wrong way when it comes to modern dating, as with most areas of dating and relationships, communication is key.
Aside from paying for your dates, there are certain criteria that many Singaporeans look out for when choosing a partner. And while some may see it as a surprise, most women in Singapore are more focused on prioritising a partner’s career while men prefer to prioritise finding a partner based on her appearance.
For most Singaporean women, their criteria when it comes to picking a partner are ranked according to his values (87%), career (56%), appearance (53%) followed by his hobbies/interests (53%). For Singaporean men, on the other hand, their criteria usually start with her values (88%), appearance (79%), hobbies/interests (73%), followed by her age (51%). Of course, that’s not all they look out for in a partner. In fact, some of the factors that Singaporeans do look out for when finding a partner include societal status, age, religion, property and car ownership.
“Money and relationships are two very important topics in an individual’s life and as we support Singaporeans on their investment journeys, it was interesting to discover how other aspects of life would be enriched by good money management and investing habits. The findings have shown the crucial role that money plays when meeting potential life partners, and the importance for individuals to be better equipped with knowledge on personal finances and investing,” said Sebastian Sieber, Chief Marketing Officer, Syfe.
Of course, we’re not saying you should be finding a partner based on his career or how rich he is, but there’s no denying that good money management is seen as an attractive quality in potential partners, especially for many women in Singapore.
Text: Her World