I think the idea that dates are for sex/and money used to facilitate that should be done away with, unfortunately, these are so ingrained, embedded into our socialization, it's rarely possible, even in very progressive/educated/affluent circle where I usually am.
I feel like I would have to date an Oxford academic to have a more intelligent conversation about dating, sex and money.
For so many, men and women, it all comes back to gender roles.
and, I have gone out with women on similar things, sometimes it's just about the event, reservations at a hot place, tickets to Hamilton, whatever, and you just want the company, and to do something cool for someone.
Not to mention, the idea that after these extensive, lengthy dinners, most people are going home and having wild sex is probably untrue, not the best time for good sex and, sometimes the "will we or won't we" sexual tension is great, and sometimes I just want to relax and take all that mostly off the table.
Sometimes mid date, even if I like the person a lot, I am just ready to go back home, by myself, and forget all the logistics and mental shuffling of what happens next.