I agree, Lud -- who does the asking out does the paying. No dutch treat business, unless it's a sizeable same-sex group that's just going out to chow down. Then, it's made clear at the beginning of the night.

I've NEVER asked a woman out to dinner and expected anything but agreeable company. If she WANTS to buy something -- a drink, or something at a convenience store, whatever -- okay; and as far as any 'other' obligations, they don't exist. How 'close' she wants to get to me is her choice.

Having said that, I've not been out with a lady for some years; not only don't I have time, my car-free cyclist status has me in a lot of women's 'pity' category. To which, I say:

W H A T E V E R, B A B E. . . . . .